Information processing apparatus, display control method, and display control program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes: an operation unit; and a control unit performing a process corresponding to dragging and displaying, on a display unit, a cursor which elongates from a start point of the dragging to an end point of the dragging and of which at least one of a size and a shape is different at one end portion, which is on a side of the start point of the dragging, and at the other end portion, which is on a side of the end point of the dragging, when the dragging is executed through the operation unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/187,099 (filed on Jul. 20, 2011), which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2010-172893 (filed on Jul. 30, 2010), which areall hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The Present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, adisplay control method, and a display control program, and moreparticularly, to an information processing apparatus capable ofperforming an input operation, for example, by an intuitive operationsuch as dragging.

In recent years, information processing apparatuses with variousoperation devices have come into wide use. For example, in informationprocessing apparatuses with a touch screen, an intuitive operation canbe executed by touch operations (touching, tapping, dragging, flicking,and the like) on a screen.

As such information, processing apparatuses, for example, there havebeen suggested navigation apparatuses capable of changing the scale on amap displayed on a screen in response to dragging (for example, seeJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-328040).

SUMMARY

A lot of information processing apparatuses according to the related artexecute processing in accordance with the direction and length ofdragging. For example, the processing is executed in accordance with thepositions of a start point and an end point of dragging, the distancebetween the start point and the end point, a direction from the startpoint to the end point, and the like.

Here, when dragging is executed while allowing a user to recognize thepositions of a start point and an end point of dragging, the distancebetween the start point and the end point, and the direction from thestart point to the end point, it is considered that operability can bedramatically improved.

It is desirable to provide an information processing apparatus, adisplay control method, and a display control program capable of furtherimproving operability in executing an input operation by dragging.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus including: an operation unit; and acontrol unit performing a process corresponding to dragging anddisplaying, on a display unit, a cursor which elongates from a startpoint of the dragging to an end point of the dragging and of which atleast one of a size and a shape is different at one end portion, whichis on a side of the start point of the dragging, and at the other andportion, which is on a side of the end point of the dragging, when thedragging is executed through the operation unit.

Thus, since the cursor elongates from the start point to the end pointof the dragging, the user can recognize the distance between the startpoint and the end point of the dragging. Further, since at least one ofthe size or shape of the cursor is different at the one end portion,which is on the side of the start point of the dragging, and at theother end portion, which is on the side of the end point of thedragging, the user can distinguish the side of the start point of thedragging from the side of the end point of the dragging in the cursor.As a consequence, the user can recognize the direction from the startpoint to the end point of the dragging and the positions of the startpoint and the end point. According to the embodiment of the disclosure,the user can execute the dragging, while recognizing the positions ofthe start point and the end point of the dragging, the distance betweenthe start point and the end point, and the direction from the startpoint to the end point.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible toexecute dragging while allowing a user to recognize the positions of astart point and an end point of dragging, the distance between the startpoint and the end point, and the direction from the start point to theend point. Thus, it is possible to realize an information processingapparatus, a display control method, and a display control programcapable of further improving operability in executing an input operationby dragging

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overview of the functionalconfiguration of an information processing apparatus according toembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the outer appearance of aportable terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of theportable terminal.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the display of an elasticdough-cursor.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating the shape of theelastic dough-cursor.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control (1) of areproduction speed.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating the control (2) of areproduction speed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control (3) of areproduction speed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control of thereproduction speed in an edit mode.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams illustrating the control of ascroll speed.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating the control of anadjustment speed of a parameter.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a videoreproduction screen.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation (1) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a videoreproduction app.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation (2) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in the videoreproduction app.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a trackselection screen.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a musicreproduction app.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a stillimage reproduction screen.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation (1) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a stillimage reproduction app.

FIGS. 19A to 19E are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation (2) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in the stillimage reproduction app.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an input operation processingsequence (1).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an input operation processingsequence (2).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an input operation processingsequence (3).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an input operation processingsequence (4).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an input operation processingsequence (5).

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a mapimage.

FIGS. 26A to 26C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a map displayapp.

FIGS. 27A to 27C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a still imagereproduction app according to a different embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display (1) of the elasticdough-cursor according to a different embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display (2) of the elasticdough-cursor according to a different embodiment.

FIGS. 30A and 30B are schematic diagrams illustrating a display (3) ofthe elastic dough-cursor according to a different embodiment.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are schematic diagrams illustrating a display (4) ofthe elastic dough-cursor according to a different embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an inputoperation (1) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a map displayapp according to a different embodiment.

FIGS. 33A to 33C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of aninput operation (2) executed with the elastic dough-cursor in a mapdisplay app according to a different embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments (hereinafter referred to asembodiments) of the disclosure will be described.

The description will be made in the following order.

1. Overview of Embodiments

2. First Embodiment

3. Second Embodiment

4. Other Embodiments

1. Overview of Embodiments

First, the overview of the embodiments will be described. After theoverview of the embodiments is described, a first embodiment, a secondembodiment, and other embodiments will be described in sequence,

In FIG. 1, Reference Numeral 1 denotes an information processingapparatus. The information processing apparatus 1 includes an operationunit 2. The information processing apparatus 1 further includes acontrol unit 4 that performs a process corresponding to the dragging anddisplays, on a display unit 3, a cursor which elongates from a startpoint of the dragging to an end point of the dragging and of which atleast one of a size and a shape is different at one end portion, whichis on a side of the start point of the dragging, and at the other endportion, which is on a side of the end point of the dragging, when thedragging is executed through the operation unit 2.

Thus, since the cursor elongates from the start point to the end pointof the dragging, the user can recognize the distance between the startpoint and the end point of the dragging. Further, since at least one ofthe size or shape of the cursor is different at the one end portion,which is on the side of the start point of the dragging, and at theother end portion, which is on the side of the end point of thedragging, the user can distinguish the side of the start point of thedragging from the side of the end point of the dragging in the cursor.As a consequence, the user can recognize the direction from the startpoint to the end point of the dragging and the positions of the startpoint and the end point. Accordingly, in the information processingapparatus 1, the user can execute the dragging, while recognizing thepositions of the start point and the end point of the dragging, thedistance between the start point and the end point, and the directionfrom the start point to the end point.

More specifically, the control unit 4 may display the cursor with theshape thickening from the one end portion to the other end portion.

The control unit 4 may display the cursor with a shape connecting afirst circle that has the start point of the dragging as a center to asecond circle that is larger than the first circle and has the end pointof the dragging as a center.

The control unit 4 may also thin the cursor, as the cursor is longer. Inthis case, the control unit 4 may also thin the cursor so that a displayarea of the cursor keeps constant, as the cursor is longer.

The control unit 4 may also display the cursor in response to thedragging and change the color of the cursor when the process is newlychanged.

The control unit 4 may also display the cursor in response to thedragging and change the color of the cursor in response to the change inat least one of the direction from the one end portion of the displayedcursor to the other end portion of the displayed cursor and the lengthof the cursor.

The control unit 4 may also change transmittance of the cursor inresponse to the change in the length of the cursor.

The control unit 4 may also shrink and delete the cursor, when thedragging ends. In this case, when the dragging ends, the control unit 4may shrink the cursor, display an animation effect of bouncing anelastic portion, and delete the cursor.

A specific example of the information processing apparatus 1 with theabove-described configuration will be described in detail below.

2. First Embodiment 2-1. Outer Appearance Configuration of PortableTerminal

Next, the first embodiment will be described. The outer appearanceconfiguration of a portable terminal 100 will be first described as aspecific example of the information processing apparatus 1 describedabove with reference to FIG. 2.

The portable terminal 100 has a chassis 101 with a substantially flatrectangular shape of a size to be grasped with one hand.

A rectangular touch screen 102 is installed in the middle of the frontsurface 101A of the chassis 101. The touch screen 102 includes a liquidcrystal panel and a transparent touch panel with a thin shape coveringthe display surface of the liquid crystal panel. For example, the touchpanel is an electrostatic capacity-type touch panel.

The portable terminal 100 is configured to receive a touch operationexecuted on the touch screen 102 with a finger (touch pen or the likecan be used) as an input operation of a user.

An operation button 103 is also installed near the touch screen 102 onthe front surface 10IA of the chassis 101 of the portable terminal 100.

The rectangular touch screen 102 of the portable terminal 100 isconfigured so as to be used in a vertically long direction (which isalso referred to as a vertical direction) and a horizontally longdirection (which is also referred to as a horizontal direction).

2-2. Hardware Configuration of Portable Terminal

Next, the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. In the portable terminal 100, a CPU110 develops and reads a program stored in a non-volatile memory 111into a RAM 112, executes various kinds of processes in accordance withthe program, and controls each unit. A central processing unit isabbreviated to a CPU and a random Access Memory is abbreviated to a RAM.

The touch screen 102 includes a liquid crystal panel 102A that is adisplay device displaying various kinds of information and a touch panel102B that is an input operation device receiving an input operation.

The touch panel 102B detects the coordinates of a touched position (thatis, a touch position) when an arbitrary position on the touch panel 102Bis touched with a finger. The touch panel 102B transmits an input signalindicating the coordinates of the touch position to the CPU 110.

The touch panel 102B is configured to transmit, to the CPU 110, theinput signal indicating the coordinates of the touch position at aconstant time interval while a touch operation such as draggingcontinues.

When the CPU 110 acquires the coordinates of the touch position from theinput signal transmitted from the touch panel 102B, the CPU 110 convertsthe coordinates of the touch position into the screen coordinates of theliquid crystal panel 102A to recognize which position is touched on thescreen of the liquid crystal panel 102A. That is, the CPU 110 recognizesthe touch position on the screen.

Moreover, the CPU 110 sequentially converts the coordinates of the touchpositions acquired from the input signals transmitted at the constanttime interval into the screen coordinates of the liquid crystal panel102A to recognize how the touch positions are moved (that is, thetrajectory of the touch positions).

The CPU 110 specifies which touch operation is executed on the screenbased on the recognized touch positions and the trajectory of the touchpositions, receives the touch operation as an input operation, andperforms a process in accordance with the input operation.

The CPU 110 is configured to receive touch operations such as touching,tapping, dragging, and flicking as input operations.

When the CPU 110 recognizes a pressing operation of pressing down theoperation button 103, the CPU 110 receives the pressing operation as aninput operation of the user and performs a process in accordance withthe input operation.

For example, it is supposed that the user taps a desired thumbnail whena thumbnail list of images stored as image files in the non-volatilememory all is displayed on the touch screen 102.

The CPU 110 receives this touch operation as an input operation ofreproducing an image and thus reads the image file corresponding to thetapped thumbnail from the non-volatile memory 111.

Here, when the corresponding image file is a still image file, the CPU110 extracts still image data from the still image file. The CPU 110obtains a still image signal by performing predetermined reproductionprocesses, such as a decoding process and a digital analog conversionprocess, on the still image data and displays the result on the liquidcrystal panel 102A of the touch screen 102.

On the other hand, when the corresponding image file is a video file,the CPU 110 separates video data and audio data from the video file.Then, the CPU 110 obtains a video signal by performing predeterminedreproduction processes, such as a decoding process and digital analogconversion process, on the video data and displays the result on theliquid crystal panel 102A of the touch screen 102. In addition, the CPU110 obtains an audio signal by performing predetermined reproductionprocesses, such as a decoding process, a digital analog conversionprocess, and an amplification process, on the audio data and outputs theresult from a headphone terminal (not shown),

Thus, the portable terminal 100 is configured to reproduce an imagedesignated by the user.

For example, it is supposed that the user taps a desired title when thelist of music (track) titles stored as music files in the non-volatilememory 111 is displayed on the touch screen 102.

The CPU 110 receives the touch operation as an input operation ofreproducing music and reads a music file corresponding to the tappedtitle from the non-volatile memory 111.

The CPU 110 extracts audio data from the music file. Then, the CPU 110obtains an audio signal by performing predetermined reproductionprocesses, such as a decoding process, a digital analog conversionprocess, and an amplification process, on the audio data and outputs theresult to a headphone terminal (not shown),

Thus, the portable terminal 100 is configured to reproduce the musicdesignated by the user.

At this time the CPU 110 extracts association information such as ajacket image, a track title, an album title, and an artist name from theread music file and displays the association information on the liquidcrystal panel 102A of the touch screen 102.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 is configured to reproduce the musicdesignated by the user and display information regarding the music,

In the portable terminal 100, the CPU 110 manages the music file so asto have a hierarchical structure in which the album title is set as anupper level and the track title is set as a lower level based on theassociation information regarding each music file.

For example, it is supposed that the user taps an icon for activating aWeb browser when this icon is displayed on the touch screen 102.

The CPU 110 receives this touch operation as an input operation ofactivating the Web browser and activates the Web browser by reading aprogram for the Web browser from the non-volatile memory 111 andexecuting the program.

Here, the CPU 110 displays a screen for the Web browser on the liquidcrystal panel 102A of the touch screen 102 and receives page dataregarding Web pages from a server on a network via the network interface113. Then, the CPU 110 displays page images which are based on the pagedata on the screen for the Web browser.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 is configured to activate the Webbrowser and display the Web pages.

Further, the portable terminal 100 is mounted with a user interfacecapable of executing various kinds of input operations only withdragging which is one of the touch operations.

Specifically, in the portable terminal 100, various kinds of inputoperations can match information (hereinafter, also referred to asdragging information) regarding the positions of a start point and anend point of the dragging, a direction from the start point to the endpoint, and a distance between the start point and the end point.

Here, the start point of the dragging refers to a touch position thatis, an initial touch position) when the dragging starts. The end pointof the dragging refers to a current touch position after the draggingstarts. That is, during the dragging, the start point is fixed and theend point is moved with the movement of a finger. Hereinafter, thepositions of the start point and the end point of the dragging arereferred to as start/end point positions, the direction from the startpoint to the end point of the dragging is referred to as a start/endpoint direction, and the distance between the start point and the endpoint of the dragging is referred to as a start/end point distance.

When the dragging is actually executed, the CPU 110 obtains the dragginginformation regarding the start/end point positions, the start/end pointdirection, the start/end point distance, and the like from the draggingand receives an input operation which matches the dragging information.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 is configured to execute various kindsof input operations by changing the start/end point positions, thestart/end point direction, the start/end distance, and the like onlywith the dragging.

In order to achieve good operability using the user interface, it ispreferable that the user can easily recognize the start/end pointpositions, the start/end point direction, and the start/end pointdistance of the dragging.

As shown in FIG. 4, the portable terminal 100 is configured to display acursor Cs visually expressing the start/end point positions, thestart/end point direction, and the start/end distance on the touchscreen 102 when the dragging is executed.

The cursor Cs elongates like elastic dough (Japanese rice dough) fromthe start point to the end point of the dragging and changes itsdirection (direction in which the cursor elongates) and its length tofollow the dragging with the movement of the end point of the dragging.Moreover, this cursor Cs is referred below to as an elastic dough-cursorCs in that, the cursor Cs extends and contracts in response to thedragging like elastic dough.

By displaying the elastic dough-cursor Cs, the portable terminal 100 canallow the user to easily recognize the start/end point positions, thestart/end point direction, and the start/end point distance of thedragging.

The elastic dough-cursor Cs and an input operation executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs will be described in more detail below.

A specific hardware example of the operation unit 2 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 described in the overview of the embodiments isthe touch panel 102B of the portable terminal 100 described above. Aspecific hardware example of the display unit 3 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 is the liquid crystal penal 102A of the portableterminal 100. A specific hardware example of the control unit 4 of theinformation processing apparatus 1 is the CPU 110 of the portableterminal 100.

2-3. Input Operation Executed with Elastic Dough-Cursor 2-3-1. BasicOperation

When the user touches the touch screen 102 with his or her finger, asshown in FIG. 5A, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs witha circle shape having a touch position Tp at its center on the touchscreen 102.

Thereafter, when the user continues dragging without detaching his orher finger, as shown in FIG. 5B, the CPU 110 elongates the elasticdough-cursor Cs from a start point D1 (that is, the initial touchposition Tp) of the dragging to an end point P2 (the current touchposition).

Then, the portable terminal 100 can allow the user to recognize that thetouch operation is received as the dragging and can perform the draggingso that the user has a sensation of directly elongating the elasticdough-cursor Cs with his or her finger.

When the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates from the start point D1 tothe end point D2 of the dragging in this way, the user is allowed torecognize the distance (the start/end point distance) between the startpoint D1 and the end point D2 of the dragging.

Hereinafter, it is supposed that the position, corresponding to thestart point D1 of the dragging in the elastic dough-cursor Cs is a startpoint C1 of the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the position correspondingto the end point D2 of the dragging in the elastic dough-cursor Cs is anend point C2 of the elastic dough-cursor Cs. That is, the elasticdough-cursor Cs is configured to elongate from the start point C1corresponding to the start point D1 of the dragging to the end point C2corresponding to the end point D2 of the dragging.

The elastic dough-cursor Cs has a shape thickening from the start pointC1 to the end point C2. That is, the shape of the elastic dough-cursorCs near the start point C1 is the thinnest and the shape of the elasticdough-cursor Cs near the end point C2 is the thickest.

By displaying the elastic dough-cursor Cs with such a shape, the usercan distinguish the start point D1 from the end point D2 an the elasticdough-cursor Cs. As a consequence, the user can recognize the direction(that is, the start/end point direction) from the start point D1 to theend point D2 of the dragging. Further, the user can recognize theposition (that is, the start/end point positions) of the start point D1and the end point D2 of the dragging.

During the dragging, the start point C1 of the elastic dough-cursor Cscorresponding to the start point D1 of the dragging is fixed, whereasthe end point C2 of the elastic dough-cursor Cs corresponding to the endpoint D2 of the dragging moves and follows the movement of the finger.Thus, the portable terminal 100 can perform the dragging, while allowingthe user to recognize the start/end point distance, the start/end pointdirection, and the start/end point positions of the dragging.

In the elastic dough-cursor Cs, an end portion of the start point C1 isa semi-circle with a radius r1 having the start point C1 as its center.In this way, the user can recognize that the center of the semi-circleis the position of the start point D1 of the dragging. Thus, the usercan more clearly recognize the position of the start point D1 of thedragging.

Likewise, in the elastic dough-cursor Cs, the end portion of the endpoint C2 is a semi-circle with a radius r2 having the end point C2 asits center. In this way, the user can recognize that the center of thesemi-circle is the position of the end point D2 of the dragging. Thus,the user can more clearly recognize the position of the end point D2 ofthe dragging as well.

The radius r2 at the end point C2 is set to be larger than the radius r1at the start point C1 so that the elastic dough-cursor Cs graduallythickens from the start point C1 to the end point C2. Thus, the elasticdough-cursor Cs has a shape in which a circle of the radius r1 havingthe start point C1 as its center is connected to a circle of the radiusr2, which is larger than the radius r1, having the end point C2 as itscenter.

Moreover, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs in atranslucent manner so that the background image to the elasticdough-cursor Cs can be viewed transparently.

When the user detaches his or her finger from the touch screen 102 andthus the dragging ends, the CPU 110 shrinks the end point. C2 of theelastic dough-cursor Cs toward the start point C1 of the elasticdough-cursor Cs until the elastic dough-cursor Cs becomes a circleshape, and then deletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs on the screen.

The CPU 110 receives various kinds of input operations in accordancewith the positions of the start point C1 and the end point C2 of theelastic dough-cursor Cs, the direction from the start point C1 to theend point C2, the distance between the start point C1 and the end pointC2, and the like.

Hereinafter, is supposed that the direction from the start point C1 tothe end point C2 of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs and the distance between the start point C1 ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs and the end point. C2 is the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, the CPU 110 controls the reproduction speed of a video inresponse to an input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursorCs.

In effect, the CPU 110 reproduces a video in a forward direction at anormal speed and displays the video in a horizontally long directionwith respect to the horizontal touch screen 102, for example, as shownin FIG. 6.

For example, it is supposed that dragging is executed in a horizontaldirection of the screen. Then, the CPU 110 displays the elasticdough-cursor Cs elongating horizontally from the start point to the endpoint of the dragging in response to the dragging on the screen.

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is a right direction,as shown in FIG. 7A, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the reproduction speedto “+” (that is, the reproduction direction is the forward direction)and reproduces the video in the forward direction at a speed faster thanthe normal speed (that is, performs fast forward). On the other hand,when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is a left direction,the CPU 110 sets the sign of the reproduction speed to “−” (that is thereproduction is a backward direction) and reproduces the video in thebackward direction at a speed faster than the normal speed (that isperforms rewind),

As shown in part A of FIG. 8, the CPU 110 sets the value of thereproduction speed to a larger value, as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer. After the graph shown in FIG. 8, it issupposed that the sign of the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs isset to “+” when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theright (or the upper) direction, whereas the sign of the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is set to “−” when the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is the left for lower) direction.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 allows the user to view the start/endpoint direction and the start/end point distance of the dragging usingthe elastic dough-cursor Cs and can perform fast forward or rewind todisplay the video at a desired reproduction speed by an input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thereafter, when the user detaches his or her finger from the touchscreen 102 and thus the dragging ends, the CPU 110 shrinks the elasticdough-cursor Cs and deletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.Simultaneously, the CPU 110 again reproduces the video in the forwarddirection at the normal speed.

As shown in FIG. 7B and part B of FIG. 8, a reproduction mode ofreproducing the video slowly (that is, reproducing the video at a speedslower than the normal speed in the forward direction) may be separatelyprovided in response to an input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

In this case, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theright direction, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 7A andpart A of FIG. 8, the CPU 110 reproduces the video at a speed fasterthan the normal speed in the forward direction (that is, performs fastforward). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the value of the reproductionspeed to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islonger.

On the other hand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs isthe left direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is lessthan a predetermined value, the CPU 110 reproduces the video at a speedslower than the normal speed in the forward direction reproduces(performs slow reproduction). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the valueof the reproduction speed to be smaller (that is, sets the reproductionspeed of the slow reproduction slower), as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer.

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the left directionand the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is equal to or greaterthan the predetermined value, the CPU 110 reproduces the video in thebackward direction at a speed faster than the normal speed (that is,performs rewind). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the value of thereproduction speed to be larger (that is, sets the reproduction speed ofthe rewind faster), as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islonger.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7C and part C of FIG. 8, a reproduction modeof reproducing a video slowly in the backward direction (that is,reproducing the video in the backward direction at a speed slower thanthe normal speed) may be separately provided in response to the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in addition to theslow reproduction of the video.

In this case, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theright direction, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 7A andpart A of FIG. 8, the CPU 110 reproduces the video in the forwarddirection at a speed faster than the normal speed (that is, performs therewind). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the value of the reproductionspeed to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islonger.

the other hand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theleft direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is lessthan a predetermined first value, as in the case described above withreference to FIG. 7B and part B of FIG. 3, the CPU 110 reproduces thevideo in the forward direction at a speed slower than the normal speed(performs slow reproduction). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the valueof the reproduction speed to be smaller, as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer,

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the left directionand the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is equal to or greaterthan the predetermined first value and less than a predetermined secondvalue, the CPU 110 reproduces the video in the backward direction at aspeed slower than the normal speed (performs slow backwardreproduction). At this time, the CPU 110 sets the value of thereproduction speed to be larger (that is, sets the reproduction speedfaster than the reproduction speed of the slow backward reproduction),as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

Moreover, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the leftdirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is equal to orgreater than the predetermined second value, the CPU 110 reproduces thevideo in the backward direction at a speed faster than the normal speed.At this time the CPU 110 sets the value of the reproduction speed to belarger (that is, sets the reproduction speed faster than thereproduction speed of the rewind), as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer.

The embodiment of the disclosure is not limited to these reproductionmodes, but an edit mode of editing the video may be separately provided.

In the case of the edit mode, the CPU 110 sets the reproduction speed to“0” that is, displays the video in a pause state) in a state where thedragging is not executed.

Here, when the dragging is executed and the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is the right direction, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 110sets the sign of the reproduction speed to “+” (that is, sets thereproduction direction to the forward direction) and gradually increasesthe value of the reproduction speed from the reproduction speed of “0”as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

On the other hand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs isthe left direction, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the reproduction speedto “−” (that is, sets the backward direction as the reproductiondirection) and gradually increases the value of the reproduction speedfrom the reproduction speed of “0” as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer.

At this time, the CPU 110 slows an increase degree or a decrease degreeof the reproduction speed slow with respect to the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs when the reproduction speed is slower than the normalspeed in the forward direction or the backward direction, in comparisonto the case where the reproduction speed is faster than the normal speedin the forward direction or the backward direction.

Accordingly, in the edit mode, the reproduction speed can be adjustedmore minutely during the slow reproduction or the slow backwardreproduction of the video.

Thereafter, when the user detaches his or her finger from the touchscreen 102 and the dragging ends, the CPU 110 shrinks the elasticdough-cursor Cs and deletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.Simultaneously, the CPU 110 again sets the reproduction speed of thevideo to “0” (that is, displays the video in a pause state).

Thus, the CPU 110 is configured to control the reproduction speed of thevideo in response to an input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor CS.

For example, the CPU 110 controls a scroll speed of various lists orimages in response to an input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, the CPU 110 controls the sign (that is, a scrolldirection) of the scroll speed in accordance with the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs and controls the value of the scroll speed inaccordance with the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is supposed that a list (which isalso referred to as a track list) in which the titles of music (tracks)are vertically arranged in a row is displayed on the touch screen 102 inthe vertical direction.

Here, when the dragging is executed in a vertical direction of thescreen, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongatingvertically from the start point to the end point of the dragging on thescreen in response to the dragging.

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is an upwarddirection, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the scroll speed to “+” andsets, as a scroll direction, a direction in which the track list isscrolled from the upper side to the down side. On the other hand, whenthe direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is a downward direction,CPU 110 sets the sign of the scroll speed to “−” and sets, as a scrolldirection, a direction in which the track list is scrolled from the downside to the upper side.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scroll speed tobe larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, it is supposed that a list aplurality of still images is horizontally arranged in a row is displayedin the horizontal direction on the touch screen 102.

Here, when the dragging is executed in the horizontal direction of thescreen, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongatinghorizontally from the start point to the end point of the dragging onthe screen in response to the dragging.

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the rightdirection, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the scroll speed to “+” andsets, as the scroll direction, a direction in which the still images arescrolled from the right side to the left side. On the other hand, whenthe direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the left direction, theCPU 110 sets the sign of the scroll speed to “−” and sets, as the scrolldirection, a direction in which the still images are scrolled from theleft side to the right side.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scroll speed tobe larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 can scroll the various lists, images, orthe like in a desired direction at a desired speed by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs, while showing theuser the start/end point direction and the start/end point distance ofthe dragging.

When the dragging ends, the CPU 110 approaches the end point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs toward the start point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated upto the circle shape of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, deletes the elasticdough-cursor Cs from the screen, and then ends the scroll.

Further, for example, the CPU 110 controls the adjustment speeds ofvarious parameters (a volume, a zoom rate, a luminance, and a saturationof an image, or the like) in response to an input operation executedwith the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, the CPU 110 controls the sign (that is, an adjustmentdirection) of the adjustment speed of the parameter in accordance withthe direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs and controls the value ofthe adjustment speed in accordance with the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, it is supposed that a video with ahorizontally long shape is displayed on the horizontally long touchscreen 102.

Here, when the dragging is executed in a vertical direction of thescreen, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongatingvertically from the start point to the end point of the dragging on thescreen in response to the dragging.

When the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is an upwarddirection, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the adjustment speed of thevolume to “+” and sets the adjustment direction to a volume-updirection. On the other hand, when the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is a downward direction, the CPU 110 sets the sign ofthe adjustment speed of the volume to “−” and sets the adjustmentdirection to a volume-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the CPU 110 sets the value of the adjustment speedof the volume to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Csof this time is longer.

When the dragging ends, the CPU 110 shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs,deletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen, and then ends theadjustment of the volume. Thereafter, the volume set immediately beforethe end of the dragging is maintained.

Thus, the portable terminal 100 can adjust the volume, which is an audioparameter pertaining to the video, by increasing or decreasing thevolume at a desired adjustment speed by the input operation executedwith the elastic dough-cursor Cs, while displaying to the user thestart/end point direction and the start/end point distance of thedragging with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thus, when the dragging is executed, the portable terminal 100 displaysthe elastic dough-cursor Cs expressing the start/end point positions,the start/end point direction, and the start/end point distance of thedragging and receives the various kinds of input operations inaccordance with the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs.

2-3-2. Example of Input Operation of Each Application

Next, an example of an input operation in an application (also referredto as app) installed in the portable terminal 100 in the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs described above will bedescribed in more detail.

Various kinds of applications can be installed in the portable terminal100. Here, for example, it is supposed that an app for reproducingmusic, an app for reproducing still images, and an app for reproducingvideos are installed,

Here, an input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in anapp (also referred to as a video reproduction app) for reproducing avideo will be first described in detail.

When an icon used to operate the video reproduction app is displayed onthe touch screen 102 and the icon is tapped in this state, the CPU 110receives this touch operation as an input operation of operating thevideo reproduction app.

Then, the CPU 110 operates the video reproduction app by reading aprogram for the video reproduction app from the non-volatile memory 111and executing the program.

When the video reproduction app is operated, the CPU 110 displays a listof thumbnails of the videos stored as video files in the non-volatilememory 111 on the touch screen 102.

Further, when one of the thumbnails is tapped from the list, the CPU 110receives the touch operation as an input operation of reproducing thevideo.

Then, the CPU 110 acquires the video from the video file correspondingto the tapped thumbnail.

At this time, the CPU 110 displays a video reproduction screen 200 shownin FIG. 12 on the touch screen 102. The video reproduction screen 200 isa horizontally long screen and is displayed on the entire surface of thehorizontally long touch screen 102 on the assumption that the videoreproduction screen 200 is used in the horizontal direction.

A video is displayed so as to be nearly full on the video reproductionscreen 200. On the video reproduction screen 200, a bar 201 extendingfrom the left end to the right end of the screen is displayed so as tooverlap with the video near the upper end of the screen. In the bar 201,one end of the left end aide of the screen indicates the start of thevideo and the other end of the right end side of the screen indicatesthe end of the video. The current reproduction position of the video isindicated by a pointer 202 moving along the bar 201. Hereinafter, thebar 201 is referred to as a reproduction bar 201.

The video reproduction screen 200 is divided horizontally by a left endregion 200A, a middle region 200B, and a right end region 200C. Here,for example, the left end session 200A and the right end region 200Ceach have an about ⅙ size of the entire screen and the middle region200B has an about remaining 4/6 size of the entire screen. The roles ofthe left end region 200A, the middle region 200B, and the right endregion 2000 will be described below.

The CPU 110 sequentially displays the video reproduced in the forwarddirection at the normal speed from the leading chapter on the videoreproduction screen 200. Hereinafter, reproduction in the forwarddirection at the normal speed is referred to as normal reproduction.

One video is partitioned in a predetermined unit (for example, eachscene). Here, a partial video of each unit is referred to as a chapter.That is, one video is formed by the plurality of chapters.

Here, the reproduction of the video can be configured to be controlledby the dragging in the horizontal direction on the video reproductionscreen 200.

In effect, as shown in FIG. 13A, it is supposed that the dragging isexecuted in the horizontal direction of the screen. Then, the CPU 110displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongating horizontally from thestart point to the end point of the dragging in response to the draggingon the screen. The elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to be displayeduntil the user detaches his or her finger from the touch screen 102 andthe dragging ends.

When the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed is the horizontal direction, the CPU 110determines whether the end point (the end point of the dragging) of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is within the middle region 200E of the screen.When the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is within the middleregion 2006, the CPU 110 controls the reproduction speed (thereproduction direction and the values of the reproduction speed) of thevideo (that is, the chapter) being displayed on the screen in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the right direction, the CPU 110 sets the sign of thereproduction speed to “+” and sets the forward direction as thereproduction direction. On the other hand, when the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is the left direction, the CPU110 sets the sign of the reproduction speed to “−” and sets the backwarddirection as the reproduction direction. Further, the CPU 110 sets thevalue of the reproduction speed to be larger, as the length of theelastic c-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates a long way to the right by the dragging in the rightward sideof the screen, the video displayed on the video reproduction screen 200is reproduced fast in the forward direction (that is rewound).

On the other hand, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates a long wayto the left by the dragging in the leftward side of the screen, thevideo displayed on the video reproduction screen 200 is reproducedslowly in the backward direction (that is, backward rewound),

When the dragging is executed in the horizontal direction of the screenand then the user does not move his or her finger without detaching hisor her finger from the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cscontinues to be displayed without any change in the direction and thelength of the elastic: dough-cursor Cs and the reproduction speed (thereproduction direction and the value of the reproduction speed) of thistime is maintained.

Thus, the video can be reproduced in the desired reproduction directionat the desired reproduction speed by the input operation executed withthe elastic dough-cursor Cs, while the start/end point direction and thestart/end point distance of the dragging are shown for the user on thevideo reproduction screen 200 by the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

The description of the audio pertaining to the video has not beendescribed, but the audio is also controlled by the dragging in the sameway as that of the video.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, it is supposed that the draggingcontinues and thus the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs comes ata position out of the middle region 200B of the screen (that is, comesat the left end region 200A or the right end region 200C).

Then, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents of the videoreproduction screen 200 from the chapter to a list (also referred to asa chapter list) of the chapters.

The chapter list refers to a list in which representative still images(also referred to as chapter images) respectively extracted from thechapters are arranged temporally in one horizontal row in a reproductiontime order.

Here, since the chapter list is a list of the representative chapterimages respectively extracted from the chapters, the chapter list can besaid to be information of a higher level with respect to the chapters.

That is, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents of the videoreproduction screen 200 from the chapters to the chapter list which isthe information of the higher level with respect to the chapters.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13C, the CPU 110 zooms out the chaptersbeing displayed and displays a part of the chapter list including thechapter image Cp (N) of the chapter reproduced immediately before thetransition on the video reproduction screen 200.

In effect, in FIG. 13C, the chapter image Cp (N) is displayed in themiddle of the video reproduction screen 200, a part of the immediatelyprevious chapter image OP (N−1) is displayed on the left side of thechapter image Cp (N), and a part of the subsequent chapter image Cp(N+1) is displayed on the right side of the chapter image Cp (N).

Thus, when the display contents of the video reproduction screen 200 istransitioned from the chapters to the chapter list, the chapter list isdisplayed on the video reproduction screen 200 so that the chapter imageCp (N) of the chapter reproduced immediately before the transition islocated in the middle of the screen.

In this way, the display contents can be transitioned from the chaptersto the chapter list seamlessly on the video reproduction screen 200without giving a sense of discomfort to the user.

At this time, the elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to be displayed onthe video reproduction screen 200 irrespective of the transition of thedisplay contents, until the user detaches his or her finger from thetouch screen 102 and thus the dragging ends.

That is, on the video reproduction screen 200, the elastic dough-cursorCs is displayed which elongates horizontally from the inside of themiddle region 200B to a region (that is, the left end region 200A or theright end region 200C) other than the middle region 200B.

Here, the CPU 110 controls the scroll speed (the scroll direction andthe value of the scroll speed) of the chapter list being displayed onthe screen in accordance with the direction and the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs and scrolls the chapter list.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the right direction, the CPU 110 sets the left direction(that is, the direction in which the chapter image Cp is moved left) asthe scroll direction of the chapter list. On the other hand, when thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is the leftdirection, the CPU 110 sets the right direction (that is, the directionin which the chapter image Cp is moved right) as the scroll direction ofthe chapter list. Further, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scrollspeed to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islonger.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates a long way to the right by the dragging in the right directionof the screen, the chapter list being displayed on the videoreproduction screen 200 is scrolled left fast.

On the other hand, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates a shortway to the left by the dragging in the left direction of the screen, thechapter list being displayed on the video reproduction screen 200 isscrolled right slowly.

Further, when the user executes the dragging in the horizontal directionof the screen and then does not move his or her finger without detachinghis or her finger from the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cscontinues to be displayed without change in the direction and the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the scroll speed (the scrolldirection and the value of the scroll speed) of this time is maintained,

Thus, when the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs comes within theleft end region 200A or the right end region 200C, the display contentsare transitioned from the chapters to the chapter list on the videoreproduction screen 200.

Thus, the chapter list can be scrolled at the desired scroll speed bythe input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs, while thestart/end point direction and the start/end point distance of thedragging are shown for the user on the video reproduction screen 200 bythe elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this way, the user can easily retrieve the chapter image Cp of thedesired chapter from the chapter list through the video reproductionscreen 200.

Here, it is supposed that when an arbitrary chapter image Cp isdisplayed in the middle of the video reproduction screen 200, thedragging ends (that is, the user detaches his or her finger from thetouch screen 102).

Then, as shown in FIG. 13D, the CPU 110 approaches the end point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs to the start point of the elastic dough-cursorCs, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated in thehorizontal direction up to the circle shape, and then deletes theelastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.

At this time, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents of the videoreproduction screen 200 from the chapter list to the chapter serving asinformation of the lower level.

Specifically, the CPU 110 zooms in the chapter list being displayed andnormally reproduces the chapters corresponding to the chapter image Cpdisplayed in the middle immediately before the transition from theleading chapter to display the video reproduction screen 200.

When the display contents are transitioned from the chapter list to thechapters, the chapters start to be reproduced from the chaptercorresponding to the chapter image Cp being displayed in the middle ofthe screen immediately before the transition.

In this way, the display contents can be transitioned from the chapterlist to the chapters seamlessly on the video reproduction screen 200without giving a sense of discomfort to the user. Moreover, the seriesof processes from the retrieval of the chapters to the reproduction ofthe chapters can be simply performed only by single dragging.

Further, it is supposed that the dragging continues without detachingthe finger after the transition to the chapter list and the end point ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs is returned from the region other than themiddle region 200B to the middle region 200B.

Even in this case, when the currently displayed contents are the chapterlist, the CPU 110 continues to control the scroll speed of the chapterlist in accordance with the direction and the length of the elasticdough cursor Cs.

As described above, in the video reproduction app, the elasticdough-cursor Cs of the horizontal direction is displayed on the videoreproduction screen 200 in response to the dragging in the horizontaldirection. In the video reproduction app, when the end point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is within the middle region200B, the reproduction direction of the chapter and the value of thereproduction speed are set in accordance with the direction (left orright) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thus, in the video reproduction app, the reproduction direction of thechapter and the value of the reproduction speed can be freely set onlyby the input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs toreproduce the chapter.

In the video reproduction app, when the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs comes within the left end region 200A or the right endregion 200C in response to the dragging, the display contents aretransitioned from the chapters to the chapter list serving asinformation of the upper level.

At this time, in the video reproduction app, the scroll direction of thechapter list and the value of the scroll speed are set in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor C.

Thereafter, in the video reproduction app, when the dragging ends, thedisplay contents are transitioned again from the chapter list to thechapters serving as the information of the lower level and thereproduction starts from the leading chapter.

Thus, in the video reproduction app, the chapters and the chapter listare newly switched or the chapter list can be scrolled at the desiredscroll speed only by the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs in the dragging in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, the volume which is a parameter of the audio pertaining to thevideo can be adjusted on the video reproduction screen 200 by thedragging in the vertical direction.

In effect, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, it is supposed that thedragging is executed in the vertical direction of the screen. Then, theCPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongating vertically fromthe start point to the end point of the dragging on the screen inresponse to the dragging.

Here, when the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed is the vertical direction, the CPU 110controls the adjustment speed (the adjustment direction and the value ofthe adjustment speed) of the volume to increase or decrease the volumein accordance with the direction and the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs of this time.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the sign of theadjustment speed of the volume to “+” and sets the adjustment directionof the volume to the volume-up direction. On the other hand, when thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is the downwarddirection, the CPU 110 sets the sign of the adjustment speed off thevolume to “−” and sets the adjustment direction of the volume to avolume-down direction. Further, the CPU 110 sets the value of theadjustment speed of the volume to be larger, as the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates upwards for a long way by the dragging in the upward directionof the screen, the volume is increased at once.

For example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates downwards for ashort way by the dragging in the downward direction of the screen, thevolume is decreased slowly,

When the user does not move his or her finger after the dragging in thevertical direction of the screen without detaching his or her fingerfrom the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to bedisplayed without any change in the direction and the length thereof andthe adjustment speed (the adjustment direction and the value of theadjustment speed) of this time is maintained.

Thus, the volume can be adjusted at the desired adjustment speed inaccordance with the direction and the length of the dragging, while theuser is enabled to recognize the direction and the length of thedragging with the elastic dough-cursor Cs on the video reproductionscreen 200.

Further, the CPU 110 displays a volume bar Bm indicating the currentvolume at a predetermined position (for example, the middle lower side)of the screen. Thus, the user can adjust the volume, while viewing thevolume bar Bm and confirming the current volume.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 approaches the end pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs to the start point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated inthe vertical direction up to the circle shape, deletes the elasticdough-cursor Cs from the screen, and then ends the adjustment of thevolume. Thereafter, the volume immediately before the end of thedragging is maintained.

In the video reproduction app, as described above, the elasticdough-cursor Cs of the vertical direction is displayed on the videoreproduction screen 200 in response to the dragging in the verticaldirection, the video reproduction app, the adjustment direction of thevolume and the value of the adjustment speed are set in accordance withthe direction (upward or downward) and the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed.

Thus, in the video reproduction app, the volume can be adjusted whilethe adjustment direction and the value of the adjustment speed can befreely shifted only by the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs in the dragging in the vertical direction.

In the video reproduction app, the volume can be adjusted even when thedragging is executed at any portion on the screen, as long as thedragging is executed in the vertical direction. For example, the usercan adjust the volume by executing the dragging at an unimportantportion of the video, while viewing the video.

For example, when the user listens to only a sound of the video, theuser can easily adjust the volume by a blind touch operation withoutwatching the screen.

Next, an input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in anapp (also referred to as a music reproduction app) that reproduces music(track) will be described in detail.

When an icon used to operate the music reproduction app is displayed onthe touch screen 102 and the icon is tapped in this state, the CPU 110receives this touch operation as an input operation of operating themusic reproduction app.

Then, the CPU 110 operates the music reproduction app by reading aprogram for the music reproduction app from the non-volatile memory 111and executing the program.

When the music reproduction app is operated, the CPU 110 displays atrack selection screen 210 shown in FIG. 15 on the touch screen 102.

The track selection screen 210 is a vertically long screen and isdisplayed on the entire surface of the vertically long touch screen 102on the assumption that the track selection screen 210 is used in thevertical direction.

The track selection screen 210 is divided vertically into three regionso an upper end region 210A, a middle region 210B, and a lower end region210C. Here, for example, the upper and region 210A and the lower endregion 210C each have about a ⅙ of the size of the entire screen and themiddle region 210E has about a remaining 4/6 of the size of the entirescreen. The roles of the upper end region 210A, the middle region 210B,and the lower end region 210C will be described below.

The CPU 110 displays a track list on the track selection screen 210. Thetrack list is a list in which the titles of tracks (music) stored asmusic files in the non-volatile memory 111 are arranged vertically in arow based on, for example, the titles of contained albums and tracknumbers.

Specifically, the track list is a list in which the tracks are groupedin accordance with respective albums arranged in a title order and arearranged in the track number order.

In the track list, the title of the album is inserted before (upper sideon the screen) the title of the leading track of each album. In additionto the titles of the tracks.

That is, the titles such as the title of Album 1, the tile of Track 1 ofAlbum 1, . . . , the title of Track 5, the title of Album 2, the titleof Track 1 of Album 2, and so on can be arranged in the track list.

At least a part of the track list is displayed on the track selectionscreen 210. In effect, FIG. 15 shows an example in which the titles offive tracks are displayed on the track selection screen 210 among thetitles included in the track list.

Here, the scroll speed (the scroll direction and the value of the scrollspeed) of the track list can be controlled on the track selection screen210 by the dragging in the vertical direction.

In effect, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is supposed that the dragging isexecuted in the vertical direction of the screen. Then, the CPU 110displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongating vertically from thestart point to the end point of the dragging on the screen in responseto the dragging. The elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to be displayeduntil the user detaches his or her finger from the touch screen 102 andthe dragging ends.

When the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed is the vertical direction, the CPU 110determines whether the end point (the end point of the dragging) of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is within the middle region 210B of the screen.When the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is within the middleregion 2105, the CPU 110 controls the scroll speed of the track list inaccordance with the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs to scroll the track list.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the upward direction(that is, a direction in which the titles are moved downward) as thescroll direction of the track list. On the other hand, when thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is the downwarddirection, the CPU 110 sets the downward direction (that is, a directionin which the titles are moved upward) as the scroll direction of thetrack list. Further, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scroll speed tobe larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates upwards for a long way by the dragging in the upward side ofthe screen, the track list displayed on the track selection screen 210is scrolled fast in the downward direction.

On the other hand, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates downwardsfor a short way by the dragging in the downward side of the screen, thetrack list displayed on the track selection screen 210 is scrolledslowly in the upward direction.

When the dragging is executed in the vertical direction of the screenand then the user does not move his or her finger without detaching hisor her finger from the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cscontinues to be displayed without changing the direction and the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the scroll speed (the scrolldirection and the value of the scroll speed) of this time is maintained.

Thus, the track list can be scrolled at the desired scroll speed by theinput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs, while thestart/end point direction and the start/end point distance of thedragging are shown for the user on the track selection screen 210 by theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this way, the user can easily retrieve the title of a desired trackfrom the track list.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, the CPU 110 gradually decreases thedisplay size of only the title of the track among the titles included inthe track list, as the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs becomescloser to the upper end region 210A or the lower end region 210C.

In this way, the display gap between the titles of the albums includedin the track list is gradually narrowed by shrinking the bellows withthe gradual decrease in the display size of the title of the track.

Further, the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is assumed to comewithin the upper end region 210A or the lower end region 210C. Then, asshown in FIG. 16C, the CPU 110 finally deletes the title of the trackfrom the screen and transitions the display contents to a list in whichonly the titles of the albums of the track list are arranged. This listis also referred to as an album list.

Since the album list is a list of the titles of the albums which are theupper level of the titles of the tracks, the album is information of theupper level with respect to the track list.

That is, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents of the trackselection screen 210 from the track list to the album list serving asthe information of the upper level of the track list.

Thus, the display contents of the screen are transitioned from the tracklist to the album list by gradually decreasing the display size of onlythe title of the track among the titles included in the track list andfinally deleting the title of the track from the screen.

In this way, the display contents can be transitioned from the tracklist to the album list seamlessly on the track selection screen 210without giving a sense of discomfort to the user.

At this time the elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to be displayed onthe track selection screen 210 irrespective of the transition of thedisplay contents, until the dragging ends.

That is, on this track selection screen 210, the elastic dough-cursor Csis displayed which elongates vertically from the middle region 210B to aregion (that is, the upper end region 210A or the lower end region 210C)other than the middle region 210B.

Here, while the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayedexceeds a predetermined threshold value, the CPU 110 controls the scrollspeed of the album list being displayed on the screen to scroll thealbum list in accordance with the direction and the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the upward direction(that is, the direction in which the titles are moved downward) as thescroll direction of the album list. On the other hand, when thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is the downwarddirection, the CPU 110 sets the downward direction (that is, thedirection in which the titles are moved upward) as the scroll directionof the album list. Further, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scrollspeed to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islonger.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates upwards for a long way by the dragging in the upward directionof the screen, the album list being displayed on the track selectionscreen 210 is scrolled downward fast.

For example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates downwards for ashort way by the dragging in the downward direction of the screen, thealbum list being displayed on the track selection screen 210 is scrolledupward slowly.

Further, when the user executes the dragging in the vertical directionof the screen and then does not move his or her finger without detachinghis or her finger from the touch screen. 102, the elastic dough-cursorCs continues to he displayed without change in the direction and thelength of the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the scroll speed of this time(the scroll direction and the value of the scroll speed) is maintained.

Thus, the album list can be scrolled at the desired scroll speed by theinput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs, while thestart/end point direction and the start/end point distance of thedragging are shown for the user on the track selection screen 210 by theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this way, the user can easily retrieve the title of the desired albumfrom the album list.

Here, as shown in FIG. 16D, it is supposed that the dragging furthercontinues and the end point of the dragging becomes closer to the startpoint of the dragging so that the length of the elastic dough-cursor Csshrinks up to a value equal, to or less than a predetermined thresholdvalue.

Then, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents of the trackselection screen 210 from the album list to the track list serving asinformation of the lower level.

Specifically, the display contents are transitioned from the album listto the track list by inserting and displaying the title of the trackbetween the title of the album and the title of the album included inthe album list. Further, for example, the display size of the title ofthe track is assumed to be the same as the display size immediatelybefore the transition from the track list to the album list.

The CPU 110 returns the display size to the original size of the titleof the track while gradually increasing the display size of the title ofthe track, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is shorter.

In this way, the display gap between the titles of the albums includedin the track list is gradually enlarged by increasing the bellows withthe gradual increase in the display size of the title of the track.

The display contents are transitioned from the track list to the albumlist by inserting the titles of the tracks between the titles of thealbums included in the album list and gradually returning the displaysize to the original size.

In this way, the display contents can be transitioned from the albumlist to the track list seamlessly on the track selection screen 210without giving a sense of discomfort to the user.

Accordingly, the user can smoothly perform the operations from theretrieval of the albums to the retrieval of the tracks by executing onlythe dragging in the vertical direction.

Thereafter, it is supposed that the dragging ends (that is, the userdetaches his or her finger from the touch screen 102).

Then, the CPU 110 approaches the end point of the elastic dough-cursorCs to the start point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, shrinks theelastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated in the vertical, direction upto the circle shape of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, and then deletes theelastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.

Further, the CPU 110 returns the display size of the title of the trackincluded in the track list to its original size. When the album list isdisplayed in the state where the dragging ends, the CPU 110 transitionsthe display contents to the track list by inserting the title of thetrack into the album list.

Here, it is supposed that one of the titles of the tracks beingdisplayed on the track selection screen 210 is tapped to select thistrack.

Then, the CPU 110 obtains a sound of the track from the music filecorresponding to the title of the tapped track and outputs the soundfrom the headphone terminal (not shown).

As described above, in the music reproduction app, the elasticdough-cursor Cs of the vertical direction is displayed on the trackselection screen 210 in response to the dragging in the verticaldirection. Further, in the music reproduction app, when the end point ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs is within the middle region 210B, the scrolldirection of the track list and the value of the scroll speed are set inaccordance with the direction (upward or downward direction) and thelength of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In the music reproduction app, when the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs comes out of the middle region 210B and comes within theupper end region 210A or the lower end region 210C in response to thedragging, the display contents are transitioned from the track list tothe album list serving as the information of the upper level.

At this time, in the music reproduction app, the scroll direction of thealbum list and the value of the scroll speed are set in accordance withthe direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thereafter, when the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is equal toor less the predetermined threshold value, the display contents aretransitioned again from the album list to the track list serving as theinformation of the lower level in the music reproduction app.

Thus, in the music reproduction app, the track list and the album listcan be newly switched or the track list and the album list can bescrolled at the desired scroll speed only by the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Accordingly, the user can easily perform the operations from theretrieval of the albums to the retrieval of the tracks.

Next, an input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in anapp (also referred to as still image reproduction app) of reproducing astill image will be described in detail.

When an icon used to operate the still image reproduction app isdisplayed on the touch screen 102 and the icon is tapped in this state,the CPU 110 receives this touch operation as an input operation ofoperating the still image reproduction app.

Then, the CPU 110 operates the still image reproduction app by reading aprogram for the still image reproduction app from the non-volatilememory 111 and executing the program.

When the still image reproduction app is operated, the CPU 110 displaysa list of thumbnails of the still images stored as still image files inthe non-volatile memory 111 on the touch screen 102.

Further, when one of the thumbnails is tapped from the list, the CPU 110receives the touch operation as an input operation of reproducing thestill images.

Then, the CPU 110 acquires the still image from the still image filecorresponding to the tapped thumbnail.

At this time, the CPU 110 displays a still image reproduction screen 220shown in FIG. 17 on the touch screen 102. The still image reproductionscreen 220 is a horizontally long screen and is displayed on the entiresurface of the horizontally long touch screen 102 on the assumption thatthe still image reproduction screen 220 is used in the horizontaldirection.

A still image is displayed so as to be nearly full on the still imagereproduction screen 220. An upper portion of a palette 221 is displayedon the lower and of the still image reproduction screen 220. The palette221 is configured to be extracted and displayed on the still imagereproduction screen 220 by touching the upper end portion of the palette221 and executing dragging in the upward direction of the screen. Thepalette 221 is a palette (which is also referred to as a luminancesaturation palette) used to adjust the luminance and saturation whichare parameters of the still image. The palette 221 will be described indetail.

On the still image reproduction screen 220, the adjustment speed (theadjustment direction and the value of the adjustment speed) of the zoomrate (magnification rate/reduction rate) which is a parameter of thestill image can be controlled with the dragging in the verticaldirection on the still image being displayed.

In effect, as shown in FIG. 18A, it is supposed that an arbitraryportion of the still image continues to be touched for a predeterminedtime. The touch executed for a time equal to or longer than apredetermined time is referred to as a long press and the touch executedfor a time shorter than the predetermined time is referred to as a shortpress.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cswith a circle shape having its center at the position at which the stillimage is lone pressed and sets this position as a zoom center. Moreover,this position is the start point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, the size of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed atthis time is set to be slightly larger the touched finger.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18C, it is supposed that the dragging isexecuted in the vertical direction of the screen without detaching thefinger long pressing the screen.

Then, the CPU 110 vertically elongates the elastic dough-cursor Cs fromthe start point (that is, the position initially long pressed) to theend point of the dragging in response to the dragging.

Here, when the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is the vertical direction, the CPU 110 sets the startpoint of the elastic dough-cursor Cs as the zoom center and increases ordecreases the zoom rate by controlling the adjustment speed of the zoomrate (magnification rate/reduction rate) of the still image in responseto the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustmentdirection of the zoom rate as a zoom-in (magnification) direction (thatis, a direction in which the zoom rate increases from 100%). On theother hand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the downward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustmentdirection of the zoom rate as a zoom-out (reduction) direction (that is,a direction in which the zoom rate decreases from 100%). Further, theCPU 110 sets the value of the adjustment speed of the zoom rate(magnification rate/reduction rate) to be larger, as the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs longelongates in the upward direction of the screen by the dragging in theupward direction of the screen, the magnification rate of the stillimage increases at once. Thus, the still image being displayed on thestill image reproduction screen 220 is magnified at once using the startpoint of the elastic dough-cursor Cs as a center.

For example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs short elongates downwardby the dragging executed in the downward direction of the screen, thereduction rate of the still image slowly decreases. Thus, the stillimage being displayed on the still image reproduction screen 220 isslowly reduced using the start point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs as acenter.

When the dragging is executed in the vertical direction of the screenand then the user does not move his or her finger without detaching hisor her finger from the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cscontinues to be displayed without changing the direction and the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the adjustment speed the adjustmentdirection and the value of the adjustment speed) of this time ismaintained.

Thus, the zoom rate of the still image can be adjusted at the desiredadjustment speed by the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs, while the start/end point direction and the start/endpoint distance of the dragging are shown for the user on the still imagereproduction screen 220 by the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Further, the series of operations from the setting of the zoom center tothe adjustment of the zoom rate can be performed seamlessly on the stillimage reproduction screen 220 only by the dragging from the long press.

Accordingly, the user can easily and swiftly view the entire still imageor view a desired part of the still image with a desired size on thestill image reproduction screen 220.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 approaches the end pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs toward the start point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated inthe vertical direction up to the circle shape, deletes the elasticdough-cursor Cs from the screen, and then ends the adjustment of thezoom rate. At this time, the zoom center is reset. Thereafter, the zoomrate immediately before the end of the dragging is maintained.

The still images being displayed can be scrolled on the still imagereproduction screen 220 by executing the dragging (also by executingflicking) in an arbitrary direction from the short press withoutexecuting the long press.

In effect, it is supposed that the dragging (or flicking) is executed inan arbitrary direction from the short press. Then, the CPU 110 scrollsthe still images by controlling the scroll of the still images inaccordance with the direction and the length (or the direction and speedof the flicking) of the dragging.

Specifically, the CPU 110 scrolls the still images only to a distance(or the distance corresponding to the speed of the flicking)corresponding to the length of the dragging in a direction opposite tothe direction of the dragging (or the flicking).

Thus, on still image reproduction screen 220, the input operationexecuted with the dragging can be newly changed to the adjustment or thescroll of the zoom rate using the long press.

When an arbitrary portion of the still image can be long pressed on thestill image reproduction screen 220, the elastic dough-cursor Cs withthe size slightly larger than the finger executing the long pressing atthe position of the portion is displayed. Thus, since the portion longpressed can be set as the zoom center, the user can easily recognize thefact that the input operation executed by the dragging is completelychanged to the adjustment of the zoom rate.

On the other hand, it is supposed that the upper end portion of theluminance saturation palette 221 being displayed on the lower end of thestill image reproduction screen 220 is touched and flicking is executed(the dragging can also be executed) in the upward direction of thescreen.

Then, as shown in FIG. 19A, the CPU 110 extracts the luminancesaturation palette 221 upward from the lower end of the still imagereproduction screen 220 in response to the flicking.

The horizontal width of the luminance saturation palette 221 is the sameas the horizontal width of the still image reproduction screen 220. Forexample, the luminance saturation palette 221 appears so as to cover thelower end to the upper end (that is, the entire screen) of the stillimage reproduction screen 220.

Further, the luminance saturation palette 221 is divided into tworegions: a left region 221L used to adjust the luminance and a rightregion 211R used to adjust the saturation. The left region 221L is alsoreferred to as a luminance setting region and the right region 221R isalso referred to as a saturation setting region.

The luminance setting region 221L and the saturation setting region 221Rare each transparent in a portion other than the outer frame and a stillimage displayed on the still image reproduction screen 220 can be seentherethrough.

The word “luminance” is configured to be displayed in the luminancesetting region 221L and the word “saturation” is configured to bedisplayed in the saturation setting region 221R.

In the luminance saturation palette 221, the luminance of the stillimage can be adjusted by vertical dragging of which a start point iswithin the luminance setting region 221L and the saturation of the stillimage can be adjusted by vertical dragging of which a start point iswithin the saturation setting region 221R.

In effect, as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C, it is supposed that the insideof the luminance setting region 221L is touched and the dragging isexecuted in the vertical direction of the screen. Then, the CPU 110displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs vertically elongating from thestart point to the end point of the dragging on the screen in responseto the dragging.

Here, when the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed is the vertical direction, the CPU 110controls the adjustment speed (the adjustment direction and the value ofthe adjustment speed) of the luminance of the still image beingdisplayed in accordance with be direction and the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustmentdirection of the luminance so as to increase the luminance. On the otherhand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayedis the downward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustment direction ofthe luminance so as to decrease the luminance. Further, the CPU 110 setsthe value of the adjustment speed of the luminance to be larger, as thelength of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates upwards for a long way by the dragging in the upward directionof the screen, the luminance of the still image being displayedincreases at once.

For example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates downwards for ashort way by the dragging in the downward direction of the screen, theluminance of the still image being displayed decreases slowly.

When the user does not move his or her finger after the dragging in thevertical direction of the screen without detaching his or her fingerfrom the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to bedisplayed without any change in the direction and the length thereof andthe adjustment speed (the adjustment direction and the value of theadjustment speed) of this time is maintained.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 19D and 19E, it is supposed thatthe inside of the saturation setting region 221R is touched and thedragging is executed in the vertical direction of the screen. Then, theCPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs vertically elongating fromthe start point to the end point of the dragging on the screen inresponse to the dragging.

Elate, when the CPU 110 recognizes that the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed is the vertical direction, the CPU 110controls the adjustment speed of the saturation of the still image beingdisplayed in accordance with the direction and the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs of this time.

Specifically, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustmentdirection of the saturation so as to increase the saturation. On theother hand, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the downward direction, the CPU 110 sets the adjustmentdirection of the saturation so as to decrease the saturation. Further,the CPU 110 sets the value of the adjustment speed of the saturation tobe larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, for example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cselongates upwards for a long way by the dragging in the upward directionof the screen, the saturation of the still image being displayedincreases at once.

For example, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates downwards for ashort way by the dragging in the downward direction of the screen, thesaturation of the still image being displayed decreases slowly.

When the user does not move his or her finger after the dragging in thevertical direction of the screen without detaching his or her fingerfrom the touch screen 102, the elastic dough-cursor Cs continues to bedisplayed without any change in the direction and the length thereof andthe adjustment speed of this time is maintained.

Thus, the luminance or the saturation can be adjusted at the desiredadjustment speed by the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs, while the start/end point direction and the start/endpoint distance of the dragging are shown for the user on the luminancesaturation palette 221 by the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Since the luminance saturation palette 221 is transparent in the portionother than the outer frame, the user can adjust the luminance or thesaturation while viewing the still image being displayed under theluminance saturation palette 221.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 approaches the end pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs toward the start point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated inthe vertical direction up to the circle shape of the elasticdough-cursor Cs, deletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen,and then ends the adjustment of the luminance or the saturation.Thereafter, the luminance or the saturation immediately before the endof the dragging is maintained.

When an arbitrary portion of the still image being displayed on thestill image reproduction screen 220 is long pressed in the still imagereproduction app as described above, the elastic dough-cursor Cs with acircle shape is displayed at the long pressed position. Further, in thestill image reproduction app, the long pressed position is set as thezoom center and the input operation executed by the dragging is changedfrom the scroll of the still image to the adjustment of the zoom rate.

In the still image reproduction app, the elastic dough-cursor Csvertically elongates in response to the dragging in the verticaldirection, and the adjustment direction of the zoom rate of the stillimage and the value of the adjustment speed are set in accordance withthe direction (upward or downward) and the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

In the still image reproduction app, when the dragging (flicking) isexecuted without the long press, the still image being displayed on thestill image reproduction screen 220 is scrolled in response to thedragging.

Thus, in the still image reproduction app, the input operation executedby the dragging can be newly changed to the adjustment of the zoom rateor the scroll by the long press. Accordingly, the adjustment of the zoomrate or the scroll of the still image can be scrolled only by thedragging.

In the still image reproduction app, when the dragging is executed inthe vertical direction using the inside of the luminance saturationpalette 221 as a start point, the vertical elastic dough-cursor Cs isdisplayed in response to the dragging.

In the still image reproduction app, when the start point of thedragging is within the luminance setting region 221L of the luminancesaturation palette 221, the adjustment direction of the luminance of thestill image and the value of the adjustment speed are set in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In the still image reproduction app, when the start point of thedragging is within the saturation setting region 221R of the luminancesaturation palette 221, the adjustment direction of the saturation ofthe still image and the value of the adjustment speed are set inaccordance with the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs.

In the still image reproduction app, the input operation executed by thedragging can be newly changed to the adjustment of the luminance of thestill image or the adjustment of the saturation of the still image inaccordance with the position of the start point of the dragging withinthe luminance saturation palette 221.

In the still image reproduction app, the luminance or the saturation ofthe still image can be adjusted while the adjustment direction and thevalue of the adjustment speed are freely shifted only by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the dragging inthe vertical direction.

As described above, the portable terminal 100 can easily reproduce avideo, changes the display contents, scroll various kinds of lists,adjust various kinds of parameters, and the like only by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the dragging.

2-4. Input Operation Processing Sequence

Next, a specific sequence (referred to as an input operation processingsequence) will be described which is performed by the portable terminal100 in response to the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

2-4-1. Input Operation Processing Sequence of Video ReproductionApplication

An input operation processing sequence will be described with referenceto the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 when the reproduction of the chapters,the change between the chapters and the chapter list, and the scroll ofthe chapter list are performed by the video reproduction app.

An input operation processing sequence RT1 shown in 20 is a processingsequence performed by the CPU 110 of the portable terminal 100 inaccordance with the program for the video reproduction app stored in Thenon-volatile memory 111.

When the CPU 110 operates the video reproduction app and one of thethumbnails of the listed videos is tapped, the CPU 110 starts the inputoperation processing sequence RT1. Then, the process proceeds to stepSP1. In step SP1, the CPU 110 determines whether a touch operation isexecuted on the touch panel 102B based on a signal input from the touchpanel 102B.

When a negative result is obtained, the CPU 110 allows the process toproceed to step SP2, reproduces the video corresponding to the tappedthumbnail in the forward direction at the normal speed (that is,performs normal reproduction), and then returns the process to step SP1.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained step SP1 describedabove, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP3. In stepSP3, the CPU 110 appropriately displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs inresponse to this touch operation and determines whether the touchoperation is the dragging in the horizontal direction of the screen.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP3, the CPU 110 returns theprocess to step SP1 again. On the other hand, when a positive result isobtained in step SP3, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to stepSP4.

In step SP4, the CPU 110 determines whether the current display contentsare the chapters. When a positive result is obtained in step SP4, theCPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP5.

In step SP5, the CPU 110 determines whether the end point (that is, theend point of the dragging) of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is within the left end region 200A or the right end region200C.

When a negative result is obtained, the negative results indicates thatthe current display contents are the chapters and thus the end point ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs is within the region other than the left endregion 200A or the region other than the right end region 2000 (that is,in the middle region 200B).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP6,controls the reproduction speed of the chapters in accordance with thedirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed,and then returns the process to step SP1 again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP5described above, the positive result indicates that the current displaycontents are the chapters and the end point of the elastic dough-cursorCs is within the left end region 200A or the right end region 200C (thatis, the region other than the middle region 200B).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP7,transitions the display contents from the chapters to the chapter listserving as the information of the upper level, and then returns theprocess to step SP1 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP4described above, the negative result indicates that the current displaycontents are the chapter list.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP8,controls the scroll speed of the chapter list in accordance with thedirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being andreturns the process to step SP1 again.

According to this input operation processing sequence RT1, the CPU 110performs the reproduction of the chapters, the change between thechapters and the chapter list, and the scroll of the chapter list inresponse to the input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursorCs in the dragging.

Subsequently, an input operation processing sequence will be describedwith reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 when the volume isadjusted by the video reproduction app.

An input operation processing sequence RT2 shown in FIG. 21 is aprocessing sequence executed by the CPU 110 of the portable terminal 100in accordance with the program for the video reproduction app stored inthe non-volatile memory 111.

When the CPU 110 operates the video reproduction app and one of thethumbnails of the listed, videos is tapped, the CPU 110 starts the inputoperation processing sequence RT2. Then, the process proceeds to stepSP10. In step SP10, the CPU 110 determines whether a touch operation isexecuted. on the touch panel 102B based on a signal input from the touchpanel 102B.

In step S210, the CPU 110 waits until obtaining a positive result. Whenthe CPU 110 obtains the positive result, the CPU 110 allows the processto proceed to step SP11.

In step SP11, the CPU 110 appropriately displays the elasticdough-cursor Cs in response to the touch operation and determineswhether the touch operation is the dragging in the vertical direction ofthe screen.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP11, the CPU 110 returns theprocess to step S210 again. On the other hand, when a positive result asobtained in step S211, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to stepSP12,

In step SP12, the CPU 110 determines whether the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed at this time is the upwarddirection (that is, the end point of the dragging is located above thestart point of the dragging).

When a positive result is obtained in step SP12, the positive resultindicates that the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theupward direction (that is, the end point of the dragging is locatedabove the start point of the dragging).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP13,increases the volume at the adjustment speed corresponding to thedirection (upward direction) and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs being displayed at this time, and then returns the process to stepSP10.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP12described above, the negative result indicates that the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is the downward direction (that is, the endpoint of the dragging is located below the start point of the dragging).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP14,decreases the volume at the adjustment speed corresponding to thedirection (downward) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed, and then returns the process to step SP10 again.

According to the input operation processing sequence RT2, the CPU 110performs the adjustment of the volume in response to the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the dragging.

2-4-2. Input Operation Processing Sequence of Music ReproductionApplication

Next, an input operation processing sequence will be described withreference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22 when the change between thetrack list and the album list and the scroll of the track list and thealbum list are performed by the music reproduction app.

An input operation processing sequence RT3 shown in FIG. 22 is aprocessing sequence executed by the CPU 110 of the portable terminal 100in accordance with the program for the music reproduction app stored inthe non-volatile memory 111.

When the CPU 110 operates the music reproduction app, the CPU 110 startsthe input operation processing sequence RT3. Then, the process proceedsto step SP20. In step SP20, the CPU 110 determines whether a touchoperation is executed on the touch panel 102B based on a signal inputfrom the touch panel 102B.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP20, the CPU 110 allows theprocess to proceed to step SP21, displays the track list on the trackselection screen 210, and then returns the process to step SP20 again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP20described above, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP22.In step SP22, the CPU 110 appropriately displays the elasticdough-cursor Cs in response to the touch operation and determineswhether the touch operation is the dragging in the vertical direction ofthe screen.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP22, the CPU 110 returns theprocess to step SP20 again. On the other hand, when a positive result isobtained in step SP22, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to stepSP23.

In step SP23, the CPU 110 determines whether the current displaycontents are the track list. When a positive result is obtained in stepSP23, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP24.

In step SP24, the CPU 110 determines whether the end point (that is, theend point of the dragging) of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is within the upper end region 210A or the lower end region210C.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP24, the negative resultindicates that the current display contents is the track list and theend point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is not within the upper endregion 210A and the lower end region 210C and is within the middleregion 210E.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed no step SP25,controls the scroll speed far the track list in accordance with thedirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed,and then returns the process to step SP20 again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP24described above, the positive result indicates that the current displaycontents are the track list and the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is within the upper end region 210A or the lower endregion 210C, (that is, the region other than the middle region 210B).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP26,transitions the display contents from the track list to the album listserving as the information of the upper level, and then returns theprocess to step SP20 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP23described above, the negative result indicates that the current displaycontents are the album list.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP27 anddetermines whether the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP27, the positive resultindicates that the current display contents are the album list and thelength of the elastic dough cursor Cs exceeds the predeterminedthreshold value.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP28,controls the scroll speed of the album list in accordance with thedirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, and thenreturns the process to step SP20 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP27described above, the negative result indicates that the current displaycontents are the album list and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value.

At this rime, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP29,transitions the display contents from the album list to the track listserving as the information of the lower level, and then returns theprocess to step SP20 again.

According to this input operation processing sequence RT3, the CPU 110performs the change in the display contents and the scroll of the tracklist and the album list in response to the input operation executed withthe elastic dough-cursor Cs in the dragging.

2-4-3. Input Operation Processing Sequence of Still image ReproductionApplication

Next, an input operation processing sequence will be described withreference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 when the adjustment of thezoom rate which is a parameter of the still image is performed by thestill image reproduction app.

An input operation processing sequence RT4 shown in FIG. 23 is aprocessing sequence executed by the CPU 110 of the portable terminal 100in accordance with the program for the still image reproduction appstored in the non-volatile memory 111.

When the CPU 110 operates the still image reproduction app and one ofthe thumbnails of the listed still images is tapped, the CPU 110 startsthe input operation processing sequence RT4. Then, the process proceedsto step SP30. In step SP30, the CPU 110 determines whether a touchoperation is executed on the touch panel 102B based on a signal inputfrom the touch panel 102B.

In step SP30, the CPU 110 waits until obtaining a positive result. Whenthe CPU 110 obtains the positive result, the CPU 110 allows the processto proceed to step SP31.

In step SP31, the CPU 110 determines whether this touch operation is theinitial long press on the still image being displayed based on thesignal input from the touch panel 102B. Here, the initial long pressrefers to a long press at an initially touched position during theseries of touch operations in which the user touches the touch panel 102with his or her finger and detaches his or her finger from the touchpanel 102.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP31, the CPU 110 allows theprocess to proceed to step SP32. In step SP32, the CPU 110 displays theelastic dough-cursor Cs at the long pressed position, sets the longpressed position as the zoom center, and then returns the process tostep SP30.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP31described above, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP33.In step SP33, the CPU 110 determines whether a touch operation is thedragging based on a signal input from the touch panel 102B.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP33, the CPU 110 returns theprocess to step SP30 again. On the other hand, when a positive result isobtained in step SP33, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to stepSP34.

In step SP34, the CPU 110 determines whether the setting of the zoomcenter already ends.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP34, the positive resultindicates that the setting of the zoom center ends, that is, thecurrently executed dragging is the dragging from the long press.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP35 anddetermines whether the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction (that is, the end point of thedragging is located above the start point of the dragging).

When a negative result is obtained in step SP35, the negative resultindicates that the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theupward direction (that is, the end point of the dragging is locatedabove the start point of the dragging).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP36. Instep SP36, the CPU 110 increases (zooms in) the magnification rate ofthe still image at the adjustment speed corresponding to the direction(upward direction) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed by using the position set as the zoom center as a center, andthen returns the process to step SP30 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP35described above, the negative result indicates that the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is the downward direction (that is, the endpoint of the dragging is located below the start point of the dragging),

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP37. Instep SP37, the CPU 110 decreases (zooms out) the reduction rate of thestill image at the adjustment speed corresponding to the direction(downward direction) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed by using the position set the zoom center as a center, andthen returns the process to step SP30 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP34described above, the negative result indicates that the zoom center isnot set, that is, the currently executed dragging is the dragging (orflicking) from the short press.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP38 andscrolls the still images in accordance with the direction and the lengthof the dragging (or the direction and the length of the flicking). Then,the process returns to step SP30.

According to this input operation processing sequence RT4, the CPU 110performs the adjustment of the zoom rate which is a parameter of thestill image in response to the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs in the dragging.

Next, an input operation processing sequence will be described withreference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 when the adjustment of theluminance and the saturation is performed by the still imagereproduction app.

An input operation processing sequence RT5 shown in FIG. 24 is aprocessing sequence executed by the CPU 110 of the portable terminal 100in accordance with the program for the still image reproduction appstored in the non-volatile memory 111.

When the CPU 110 extracts and displays the luminance saturation palette221 on the still image reproduction screen 220, the CPU 110 starts theinput operation processing sequence RT5. Then, the process proceeds tostep SP40. In step SP40, the CPU 110 determines whether a touchoperation is executed on the touch panel 102B based on a signal inputfrom the touch panel 102B.

In step SP40, the CPU 110 waits until obtaining a positive result. Whenthe CPU 110 obtains the positive result, the CPU 110 allows the processto proceed to step SP41.

In step SP41, the CPU 110 determines whether the touch operation is theinitial touch. Here, the initial touch refers to a touch at an initiallytouched position during the series of touch operations in which the usertouches the touch panel 102 with his or her finger and detaches his orher finger from the touch panel 102.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP41, the CPU 110 returns theprocess to step SP40 again. On the other hand, when a positive result isobtained in step SP41, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to stepSP42.

In step SP42, the CPU 110 determines whether the initially touchedposition is within the luminance setting region 221L.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP42, the positive resultindicates that the initially touched position is within the luminancesetting region 221L. At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process toproceed to step SP43.

In step SP43, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough cursor Cs at thetouched position, sets the luminance of an adjustment target, and thenreturns the process to step SP40 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP42, thenegative result indicates that the initially touched position is notwithin the luminance setting region 221L.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP44 anddetermines whether the initially touched position is within thesaturation setting region 221R.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP44, the negative resultindicates that the initially touched position is not within theluminance setting region 221L and the saturation setting region 221R. Atthis time, the CPU 110 returns the process to step SP40 again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP44, thepositive result indicates that the initially touched position is withinthe saturation setting region 221R. At this time, the CPU 110 allows theprocess to proceed to step SP45.

In step SP45, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs at thetouched position, sets the saturation of an adjustment target, and thenreturns the process to step SP40 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP41, thenegative result indicates that the touch operation is not the initialtouch.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP46 anddetermines whether this touch operation is the dragging in the verticaldirection.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP46, the negative resultindicates that the touch operation is neither the initial touch nor thedragging. At this time, the CPU 110 returns the process to step SP40again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP46described above, the positive result indicates that the touch operationis the dragging in the vertical direction. At this time, the CPU 110allows the process to proceed to step SP47.

In step SP47, the CPU 110 determines whether the setting of theadjustment target ends.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP47, the negative resultindicates that the adjustment target is not set, that is, the currentlyexecuted dragging is the dragging from the touch executed toward theoutside of the luminance setting region 221L and the saturation settingregion 221R. At this time, the CPU 110 returns the process to step SP40again.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP47described above, the positive result indicates that the setting of theadjustment target already ends, that is, the currently executed draggingis the dragging from the touch executed within the luminance settingregion 221L or the saturation setting region 221R.

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP48 anddetermines whether the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed is the upward direction (that is, the end point of thedragging is located above the start point of the dragging).

When a negative result is obtained in step SP48, the negative resultindicates that the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is theupward direction (that is, the end point of the dragging is locatedabove the start point of the dragging).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP49,increases the value of the adjustment target (luminance or saturation)at the adjustment speed corresponding to the direction (upwarddirection) and the length of elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed,and then returns the process to step SP40 again.

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step SP48described above, the negative result indicates that the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is the downward direction (that is, the endpoint of the dragging is located below the start point of the dragging).

At this time, the CPU 110 allows the process to proceed to step SP50,decreases the value of the adjustment target (luminance or saturation)at the adjustment speed corresponding to the direction (downwarddirection) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs beingdisplayed, and then returns the process to step SP40 again,

According to the input operation processing sequence RT5, the CPU 110performs the adjustment of the luminance and the saturation, which arethe parameters of the still image, in response to the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the dragging.

2-5. Operations and Advantages of First Embodiment

In the above-described configuration, the CPU 110 of the portableterminal 100 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongating from thestart point to the end point of the dragging and has the shapethickening from the side of the start point to the side of the end pointof the dragging when the dragging is executed on the touch screen 102.

Since the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates from the start point to theend point of the dragging, the user can recognize the distance(start/end point distance) between the start point and the end point ofthe dragging in the portable terminal 100.

Further, since the elastic dough-cursor Cs has the shape thickening fromthe side of the start point to the side of the end point of thedragging, the size of one end portion of the elastic dough-cursor Cs onthe start point side of the dragging is different from the size of theother end portion thereof on the end point side of the dragging.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can distinguish the startpoint side of the dragging from the end point side thereof in theelastic dough-cursor Cs. As a consequence, in the portable terminal 100,the user can recognize the positions (start/end point positions) of thestart point and the end point of the dragging and the direction(start/end point direction) from the start point to the end point of thedragging.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can execute the draggingwhile recognizing the positions of the start point and the end point ofthe dragging, the distance between the start point and the end point ofthe dragging, and the direction from the start point to the end point ofthe dragging.

Instead of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, for example, it can beconsidered that one cursor is displayed in each of the start point andthe end point of the dragging. In this case, however, since two cursorsare separately displayed, it is difficult for the user to understand therelationship between the two cursors. Accordingly, it is difficult toshow the user the fact that the two cursors indicate the positions ofthe start point and the end point of the dragging, respectively.

When two cursors are displayed, the user may not intuitively decidewhether the apparatus exactly recognizes the movement of the finger asdragging or recognizes two portions to be erroneously tapped.

Accordingly, in the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment ofthe disclosure, it is configured that one elastic dough-cursor Cselongating from the start point to the end point of the dragging isdisplayed.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can easily recognize thepositions of the start point and the end point of the dragging with theelastic dough-cursor Cs. Further, the fact that the movement of thefinger is exactly recognized as the dragging can be fed back to theuser.

In the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure, the distance between the start point and the end point ofthe dragging is visualized with the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs. Therefore, the user can recognize the distance between the startpoint and the end point of the dragging more clearly, compared to thecase where two cursors are displayed, as described above.

Further, in the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure, the direction from the start Point to the end point of thedragging is visualized with the shape of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.Therefore, the user can recognize the direction from the start point tothe and point of the dragging more clearly, compared to the case wheretwo cursors are displayed, as described above.

According to the above-described configuration, the portable terminal100 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongating from the start pointto the end point of the dragging and has the shape thickening from thestart point side of the dragging in the end point side thereof on thetouch screen 102. Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user canexecute the dragging while recognizing the positions of the start pointand the end point of the dragging, the distance between the start pointand the end point of the dragging, and the direction from the startpoint to the end point of the dragging. Accordingly, it is Possible tofurther improve operability when an input operation is executed in thedragging.

3. Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment,an app (also referred to as a map display app) displaying a map isinstalled as an app corresponding to the input operation executed withthe elastic dough-cursor Cs in the portable terminal 100.

The hardware configuration of the portable terminal 100 and the basicoperation of the input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursorCs are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus will bedescribed with reference to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, an inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the map displayapp will be described.

3-1. Example of Input Operation in Map Display App

When an icon used to operate the map display app is displayed on thetouch screen 102 and this icon is tapped in this state, the CPU 110 ofthe portable terminal 100 receives this touch operation as an inputoperation of operating the map display app.

Then, the CPU 110 operates the map display app by reading a program forthe map display app from the non-volatile memory 111 and executing theprogram.

When the CPU 110 operates the map display app, the CPU 110 displays amap screen 230 shown in FIG. 25 on the touch screen 102. The map screen230 is a vertically long screen and is displayed on the entire surfaceof the touch screen 102 on the assumption that the map screen 230 isused in the vertical direction.

The map screen 230 is divided into two regions: a middle region 230Awhich is a rectangular region having the middle of the screen as acenter and an outer region 230B which is a region surrounding theoutside of the middle region 230A. Here, for example, it is supposedthat the vertical length and the horizontal length of the middle region230A are each about 80% of the vertical length and the horizontal lengthof the map screen. A frame Fr1 (see FIG. 26A) indicating the middleregion 230A is displayed on the map screen 230.

The CPU 110 reads map information data of an arbitrary place (forexample, a place set in advance for a user) from the non-volatile memory110 and displays a map image on the map screen 230 based on the mapinformation data. Further, at least a part of the map image is displayedon the map screen 230.

On the map screen 230, the scroll of the map image can be controlled bydragging.

In effect, as shown in FIG. 26A, it is supposed that the dragging isexecuted in the upper right direction of the screen. Then, the CPU 110determines whether the end point of the dragging is within the middleregion 230A of the screen.

When the end point of the dragging is within the middle region 230A, theCPU 110 sets a normal scroll mode as a scroll mode and controls thescroll of the map image in accordance with the direction and the lengthof the dragging. That is, the CPU 110 controls the scroll by generaldragging.

Specifically, the CPU 110 scrolls the map image in the same direction asthat of the dragging only by a distance corresponding to the length ofthe dragging. Since the direction of the dragging is the upper rightdirection of the screen in FIG. 26A, the CPU 110 scrolls the map imageonly in the upper right direction of the screen by a distancecorresponding to the length of the dragging.

As shown in FIG. 26B, it is supposed that the end point of the draggingcomes out of the middle region 230A (that is, within the outside region230B).

Then, the CPU 110 transitions the scroll mode to a elastic dough-scrollmode to delete the frame Fr1 from the screen and display the elasticdough-cursor Cs elongating from the start point to the end point of thedragging on the screen. The elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayed untilthe user detaches his or her finger from the touch screen 102 and thedragging ends.

When the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs, the CPU 110controls the scroll of the map image in accordance with the directionand the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, the CPU 110 sets the same direction as the direction ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs as the scroll direction of the map image.Further, the CPU 110 sets the value of the scroll speed to be larger, asthe length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

As a consequence, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates long towardthe upper right by the dragging in the upper right direction of thescreen, as shown in FIG. 26B, the map image displayed on the map screen230 is scrolled fast in the upper right direction.

When the user does not move his or her finger without detaching his orher finger from the touch screen 102 after this dragging, the elasticdough-cursor Cs continues to be displayed without any change in thedirection and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs and the scrollspeed (the scroll direction and the value of the scroll speed) ismaintained.

Further, it is supposed that the dragging continues without detachingthe finger after the dragging, and then the end point (the end point ofthe dragging) of the elastic dough-cursor Cs returns from the regionother than the middle region 230A to the middle region 230A again, asshown in FIG. 26C.

In this case, the CPU 110 continues the elastic dough-scroll mode andcontinuously controls the scroll speed of the map image in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs. Thatis, after the transition to the elastic dough-scroll mode, the CPU 110continues the elastic dough-scroll mode irrespective of the position ofthe end point of the dragging until the user detaches his or her fingerand the dragging ends.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 ends the scroll of themap image, shrinks the elastic dough-cursor Cs having elongated up tothe circle shape of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, deletes the elasticdough-cursor Cs from the screen, and then displays the frame Fr1 again.

When the dragging is executed in the map display app, as describedabove, the normal scroll mode is set and the scroll control is performedby the general dragging until the end point of the dragging comes out ofthe middle region 230A.

On the other hand, in the map display app, when the end point of thedragging comes out of the middle region 230A, the normal scroll mode istransitioned to the elastic dough-scroll mode and the scroll directionof the map image and the value of the scroll speed are controlled inaccordance with the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs.

Thus, in the map display app, the user just executes the simpleoperation of allowing the end point of the dragging to come out of themiddle region 230A, so that the scroll control of the general draggingis transitioned to the control of the scroll speed performed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

Accordingly, the user can easily select the scroll control of thegeneral dragging and the control of the scroll speed performed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs by executing only the dragging.

4. Other Embodiments 4-1. Other Embodiment 1

In the above-described first embodiment, the control of the reproductionspeed of the chapters, the change between the chapters and the chapterlist (change between the levels), and the control of the adjustmentspeed of the volume are configured to be performed by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the videoreproduction app.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto Instead,in another app, the control of the reproduction speed of various kindsof contents, the change between the levels, and the control of theadjustment speed of various kinds of parameters may be performed by theinput operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, in the music reproduction app, the control of thereproduction speed of music (track) may be performed by an inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this case, for example, when a track is selected from a track list,the CPU 110 displays information (the title of the track, a jacketimage, or the like) regarding the track and normally reproduces thetrack.

Thereafter, when the dragging is executed in the horizontal direction ofthe screen, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs in thehorizontal direction in response to the dragging and sets thereproduction direction of the track and the value of the reproductionspeed in accordance with the direction (left or right direction) and thelength of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

At this time, when the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs enters apredetermined region provided both right and left ends of the screen,the display contents of the screen may be transitioned from theinformation regarding the track to the track list of the upper level tonewly change the level.

Thus, in the music reproduction app, the control of the reproductionspeed of the music (track) and the change from the information regardingthe track to the track list of the upper level can be performed, as inthe video reproduction app.

In the above-described first embodiment, the scroll speed of the tracklist is controlled by the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs in the music reproduction app.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Inanother app, the scroll speed of various displays (images, texts, lists,or the like) may be controlled by the input operation executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, in a Web browser, the scroll speed of a page image may becontrolled by the input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursorCs.

In this case, for example, when a page image is displayed on the screenof the Web browser and dragging is executed in the vertical direction ofthe screen in this state, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursorCs in the vertical direction in response to the dragging. Then, the CPU110 sets the scroll direction of the page image and the value of thescroll speed in accordance with the direction (upper or downwarddirection) and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

The scroll direction is not limited to a one-dimensional direction (avertical direction or a horizontal direction). However, an entiredisplay, such as a map, a photo, or an enlarged document, extending inthe upper, lower, right, and left directions in the display range may bescrolled in a two-dimensional direction.

In some cases, some displays are easier to confirm visually when thedisplays are intermittently scrolled at a given unit interval than whenthe displays are continuously scrolled under to the control of thescroll speed.

For example, when one sheet of thumbnail is displayed and a few secondsare waited in a state where a list of the thumbnails is scrolled, anintermittent scroll of scrolling this thumbnail and displaying thesubsequent thumbnail improves visibility for one thumbnail by onethumbnail.

In this case, the value of the scroll speed is not set in accordancewith the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, but a waiting time maybe set between the scrolls.

In this way, the scroll direction of the intermittent scroll and thewaiting time can be controlled with the direction and the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs,

The continuous scroll or the intermittent scroll may be set by the user.Alternatively, the CPU 110 may automatically set the continuous scrollor the intermittent scroll used on setting information set for eachdisplay.

As other examples in which the intermittent scroll is effective, adisplay is a document or a document plus a chart.

In effect, when the display is a document, for example, the intermittentscroll is sometimes executed in a line unit, a sentence unit, or a pageunit including a retrieved word string.

When the display is a document plus a chart, for example, theintermittent scroll is sometimes executed in a page unit including thechart.

Further, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to an app.Instead, in various kinds of software such as an OS, the control of thescroll speed of a display, a change between levels, the control of theadjustment speed of various kinds of parameters, and the control of thewaiting time may be performed by the input operation executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs. Here, the OS is an abbreviation of an operatingsystem.

For example, in the OS, the scroll speed of a folder list or a file listmay be controlled with an input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs. Further, the levels may be newly switched from a fileto a folder. For example, the adjustment speed of the resolution of ascreen may also be controlled. For example, a waiting time of a slideshow of images may also be controlled.

4-2. Other Embodiment 2

In the above-described first embodiment, when an arbitrary portion ofthe still image continues to be touched for the predetermined time (thatis, the long press can be executed) in the still image reproduction app,the elastic dough-cursor Cs is configured to be displayed at the touchedposition.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,when an arbitrary portion of the still image is tapped (a finger istouched and detached), as shown in FIG. 27A, the elastic dough-cursor Csmay be displayed at this position.

Specifically, when an arbitrary portion of the still image is tapped,the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs with a circle shapehaving the tapped position as a center at the tapped position and setsthe tapped position as a zoom center. The tapped position becomes thestart point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thereafter, it is supposed that when the elastic dough-cursor Cs withthe circle shape is touched and dragging is executed in the verticaldirection of the screen. Then, in response to the dragging, the CPU 110elongates the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the direction of the draggingfrom the start point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs so that the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs is the same as the distance between thestart point and the end point of the dragging.

Then, the CPU 110 controls the adjustment speed of the zoom rate(magnification rate/reduction rate) of the still image in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs of thistime.

In this case, the circular elastic dough-cursor Cs may not benecessarily touched. Instead, even when a portion other than the elasticdough-cursor Cs is touched and dragged, the adjustment speed of the zoomrate may be controlled as in the case where the elastic dough-cursor Csis touched and dragged.

In effect, as shown in FIGS. 27B and 27C, it is supposed that when thecircular elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayed, a portion other than theelastic dough-cursor Cs is touched and the dragging is executed in thevertical direction of the screen, this case, in response to thedragging, the CPU 110 elongates the elastic dough-cursor Cs in adirection parallel to the direction of the dragging from the start pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs so that the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is the same as the distance between the start point andthe end point of the dragging.

As a consequence, the elastic dough-cursor Cs elongates long as in thecase where the elastic dough-cursor Cs is touched and dragged.

Then, the CPU 110 controls the adjustment speed of the zoom rate(magnification rate/reduction rate) of the still image in accordancewith the direction and the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs of thistime.

As a consequence, the adjustment speed of the zoom rate becomes the sameas the adjustment speed when the elastic dough-cursor Cs is touched.

Thus, the dragging is not executed after the elastic dough-cursor Cs istouched precisely. Therefore, the operability can be improved. Inparticular, it is more effective when the touch screen 102 is small andthe elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed is small.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 shrinks the elasticdough-cursor Cs up to the circle shape and pauses the adjustment of thezoom rate. When the tapping is executed again, the elastic dough-cursorCs is deleted from the screen, the zoom center is reset, and theadjustment of the zoom rate ends. As well as the tapping, the elasticdough-cursor Cs may be displayed in response to various operations suchas double-tapping (twice-continuously tapping). Further, embodiments ofthe disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead, the elasticdough-cursor Cs may be displayed at the time at which the touch positionis moved by a distance equal to or greater than a predeterminedthreshold value and the CPU 110 determines that the touch operation isthe dragging. The method of displaying the elastic dough-cursor Cs maybe modified for each app.

4-3. Other Embodiment 3

In the above-described first embodiment, for example, in the musicreproduction app, the information regarding the two levels of the tracklist and the album list is newly switched by the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto.Information regarding three or more levels may be changed by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, it is supposed that a music file is managed with threehierarchical structures: the uppermost level of an artist name, themiddle level of an album title, and the lowermost level of a tracktitle.

In this case, for example, the CPU 110 first displays the track listserving as the information of the lowermost level on the track selectionscreen 210. Here, it is supposed that the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs comes from the middle region 2103 to the upper endregion 210A or the lower end region. 2100 by the dragging in thevertical direction of the screen. Then, the CPU 110 transitions thedisplay contents from the track list to the album list serving as theinformation of the level higher by one.

Thereafter, it is supposed that the dragging continues and the length ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs decreases up to a value equal to or lessthan a predetermined threshold value. Then, the CPU 110 transitions thedisplay contents from the album list to the track list serving as theinformation of the level lower by one.

It is supposed that after the change to the album list is completed, thedragging continues so that the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Csreturns to the middle region 210B and comes within the upper end region210A or the lower end region 210C again. Then, the CPU 110 transitionsthe display contents from the album list to the artist list serving asthe information of the level upper by one.

Thereafter, it is supposed that the dragging continues so that thelength of the elastic dough-cursor Cs decreases up to a value equal toor less than the predetermined threshold value. Then, the CPU 110transitions the display contents from the artist list to the alum listserving as the information of the level lower by one.

When the dragging ends, the CPU 110 transitions the display contents tothe track list serving as the information of the lowermost levelirrespective of the current display contents.

Further, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,in various kinds of applications, information of a plurality ofhierarchical levels may newly be changed in sequence when the end pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs comes within a predetermined region setin the screen.

In the above-described first embodiment, the information of the level isnewly changed from the chapters to the chapter list in the videoreproduction app. However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limitedthereto. For example, the chapters may newly be changed from a chapterto the subsequent chapter.

That is, it is supposed that the CPU 110 allows the end point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs to come from the middle region 200B to the rightend region 200C by the dragging in the horizontal direction of thescreen. Then, the CPU 110 changes the display contents to the subsequentchapter of the currently displayed chapter.

On the other hand, it is supposed that the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs comes from the middle region 200B to the left end region200A by the dragging in the horizontal direction of the screen. Then,the CPU 110 changes the display contents to the chapter immediatelybefore the currently displayed chapter.

Thereafter, when the dragging ends, the CPU 110 returns the reproductionof the chapter being displayed at this time to the normal reproduction.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Invarious kinds of applications, the information to be displayed may newlybe changed in sequence when the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cscomes within a predetermined region set in the screen.

The position and the size of this region are not limited. However, inthe video reproduction app, the position of the region is preferably inthe right or left end located on the extension line of the elasticdough-cursor Cs in that the reproduction speed of the chapter iscontrolled by elongating the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the horizontaldirection.

In the music reproduction sop, the position of the region is preferablyin the upper or lower end in that the scroll of the list is controlledby elongating the elastic dough-cursor Cs in the vertical direction.

4-4. Other Embodiment 4

In the above-described first embodiment, when the upper end portion ofthe luminance saturation palette 221 being displayed in the lower end ofthe still image reproduction screen 220 is touched and the flicking isexecuted in the upper direction of the screen, the luminance saturationpalette 221 is configured to be extracted on the screen.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not, limited thereto.Instead, when a separate menu or the like is displayed on the stillimage reproduction screen 220 and a luminance saturation setting isselected in the menu, the luminance saturation palette 221 may beconfigured to be displayed on the screen.

In the above-described first embodiment, the luminance saturationpalette 221 is configured to be displayed at the position and with thesize of the entire screen.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Forexample, the luminance saturation palette 221 may be displayed at theposition and with the size of the lower half or the upper half of thescreen or may be displayed at the position and with the size of a middleportion including the center line halving the screen into the upper andlower parts.

At this time, when the start point of the dragging is a portion which isnot covered with the luminance saturation palette 221, the still imagebeing displayed on the screen may be scrolled in response to thedragging.

In this case, the CPU 110 controls the scroll of the still image inresponse to the direction and the length of the dragging (or flicking).

In this way, when the start point of the dragging is within theluminance saturation palette 221, the luminance and the saturation maybe adjusted. When the start point of the dragging is on a still imageother than the luminance saturation palette 221, the still image may bescrolled. In this way, the process to be performed may be changeddepending on the position of the dragging.

In the above-described first embodiment, the luminance saturationpalette 221 is displayed which includes the luminance setting region221L used to adjust luminance and the saturation setting region 221Rused to adjust saturation.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Forexample, a luminance palette (not shown) may be displayed which includesa luminance increase region used to increase luminance and a luminancedecrease region used to decrease luminance.

In this case, when the dragging is executed in the vertical directionfrom the inside of the luminance increase region as the start point, theCPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs of the vertical directionand gradually increases the luminance with the value of the adjustmentspeed corresponding to the length of the elastic dough cursor Cs.

When the dragging is executed in the vertical direction from the insideof the luminance decrease region as the start point, the CPU 110displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs of the vertical direction andgradually decreases the luminance with the value of the adjustment speedcorresponding to the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Further, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the luminanceor the saturation. Instead, regions corresponding to various kinds ofparameters, such as lightness or sharpness, regarding an image qualitymay be provided and the parameter adjustable by the dragging may bechanged depending on the region where the initial touch position islocated.

4-5. Other Embodiment 5

In the above-described first and second embodiments, it is configuredthat the portable terminal 100 including the touch screen 102 is used asan operation device.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, but maybe applied to an information processing apparatus including othervarious kinds of operation devices.

Specifically, embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to aninformation processing apparatus including an operation device, such asa mouse, a button-attached touch pad, a button-attached joystick, apush-operable analog stick, or a camera, in which dragging is operable.

In effect, when the dragging is executed with a mouse, for example, theCPU 110 displays a pointer moving with the movement of the mouse on thescreen. Thereafter, the user designates the start point of the draggingby moving the pointer to a desired position and clicking a button of themouse. Here, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs. Then, theuser executes the dragging by operating the mouse with the buttonclicked and moving the end point of the dragging (that is, the end pointof the elastic dough-cursor Cs).

When the dragging is executed with the button-attached touch pad, forexample, the CPU 110 displays the pointer moving in response to thetouch operation executed on the screen with the touch pad. Thereafter,the user designates the start point of the dragging by moving thepointer to a desired position and pressing down the button of the touchpad. Here, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs. Then, theuser executes the dragging by moving the touch position with the buttonpressed down and moving the end point of the dragging (that is, the endpoint of the elastic dough-cursor Cs).

When the dragging is executed with the joystick, for example, the CPU110 displays a pointer moving in response to the slope of the joystickon the screen. Thereafter, the user designates the start point of thedragging by moving the pointer to a desired position and pressing down abutton of the joystick. Here, the CPU 110 displays the elasticdough-cursor Cs. Then, the user executes the dragging by inclining thetouch position with the button pressed down and moving the end point ofthe dragging (that is, the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs).

When the dragging is executed with the analog stick, for example, theCPU 110 displays a pointer moving in response to the slope of theanalogy stick on the screen. Thereafter, the user designates the startpoint of the dragging by moving the pointer to a desired position andpushing in the analog stick. Here, the CPU 110 displays the elasticdough-cursor Cs. Then, the user executes the dragging by inclining thetouch position with the analog stick pushed in and moving the end pointof the dragging (that is, the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs).

When the dragging is executed with the camera, for example, the CPU 110recognizes the motion of a finger based on an image photographed by thecamera and displays a pointer moving in response to the motion of thefinger on the screen. Thereafter, the user designates the start point ofthe dragging by moving the pointer to a desired position and executing apredetermined gesture (for example, a gesture of drawing a circle withthe finger). Here, the CPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs.Then, the user executes the dragging by further moving the finger andmoving the end point of the dragging (that is, the end, point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs).

The above-described operations are lust examples. In other words, anoperation of designating the start point and the end point of thedragging may be executed.

In the information processing apparatus including these operationdevices as well as the touch screen 102, the operation device and thedisplay device may be separately provided or the operation device may beconnected to an external display device.

4-6. Other Embodiment 6

In the above-described first embodiment, the elastic dough-cursor Cs isconfigured to be displayed in response to the dragging.

Here, both the elastic dough-cursor Cs and processing informationindicating which process is currently performed in response to the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs may be displayed onthe screen.

For example, when a video is being reproduced at an arbitraryreproduction speed in response to the input operation executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs, the CPU 110 displays words such as “fastforward” or “rewind” representing the reproduction direction of thistime on the screen. Alternatively, a numerals such as “2.0×” or “−1.5×”directly representing the reproduction direction and the value of thereproduction speed may be displayed or a sign such as “>>” or “<<<”indirectly representing the reproduction direction and the reproductionspeed may be displayed.

Thus, the user can easily confirm which process is currently performedin response to the input operation executed with the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

When the value of the reproduction speed reaches the maximum value, theelastic dough-cursor Cs may not elongate over the maximum value. At thistime, the elastic dough-cursor Cs may be displayed in a blinking manneror the information (“2.0×”, “>>”, or the like) representing thereproduction direction and the value of the reproduction speed may bedisplayed in a blinking manner.

That is, the display form of the elastic dough-cursor Cs or theinformation representing the value of the reproduction speed may bechanged so that the user can know that the value of the reproductionspeed reaches the maximum value.

4-7. Other Embodiment 7

In the above-described first embodiment, in the music reproduction app,the CPU 110 is configured to return from the album list to the tracklist so that the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is equal to orless than the predetermined threshold value after the transition to thealbum list.

Here, this operation may be applied to the video reproduction app. Thatis, in the video reproduction app, the CPU 110 may return from thechapter list to the chapters, when the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is equal to or less than the predetermined thresholdvalue after the transition to the chapter list.

4-8. Other Embodiment 8

In the above-described first embodiment, the reproduction direction ofthe video and the value of the reproduction speed are configured to becontrolled in accordance with the direction and the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Thereproduction direction may be fixed and only the value of thereproduction speed of the video may be controlled in accordance withonly the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs irrespective of thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Alternatively, the value of the reproduction speed of the video may befixed and only the reproduction direction of the video may be controlledin accordance with only the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Csirrespective of the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Alternatively, the scroll direction of the track list may be fixed andonly the value of the scroll speed of the track list may be controlledin accordance with only the length of the elastic dough-cursor Csirrespective of the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Alternatively, the value of the scroll speed of the track list may befixed and only the scroll direction of the track list may be controlledin accordance with only the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Csirrespective of the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Alternatively, the value of the adjustment speed of the volume may befixed and only the adjustment direction of the volume may be controlledin accordance with only the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Csirrespective of the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Not only the reproduction of the contents, the change in the displaycontents, the scroll of the lists, and the adjustment of the parameters,but also other various processes may be performed by the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

4-9. Other Embodiment 9

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the portableterminal 100 is configured to include the touch screen 102 that includesthe liquid crystal panel 102A and the electrostatic capacity-type touchpanel 102B.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Insteadof the touch screen 102, the portable terminal 100 may include a liquidcrystal display having a touch panel function.

Further, various displays, such as an EL (Electroluminescence) display,may be used as the liquid crystal panel 102A.

4-10. Other Embodiment 10

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the elasticdough-cursor. Cs is configured to have the shape thickening from thestart point C1 to the end point C2.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the shape of the elastic dough-cursor Cs may be various, as long as atleast one of the size and the shape is different in one end portionwhich is the start point of the dragging and in the other end portionwhich is the end point of the dragging. Further, the size of the elasticdough-cursor Cs may be various.

For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the elastic dough-cursor Cs may bedisplayed with a so-called tear-type shape which thickens from the startpoint C1, which is the apex, to the end point C2 and in which the end ofthe end point C2 is round.

For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the elastic dough-cursor Cs may bedisplayed 50 as to have a shape in which the end portion of the startpoint C1 has a circle with a radius r1, the end portion of the end pointC2 has a circle with a radius r2 (where r2>r1), and the circles areconnected to each other by a thin long rod-shaped line.

For example, the CPU 110 may display the elastic dough-cursor Cs with ashape thickening from the end point C2 to the start point C1 instead ofthe shape thickening from the start point C1 to the end point C2.

4-11. Other Embodiment 11

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the CPU 110 isconfigured to display the elastic dough-cursor Cs with the shape inwhich the circle with the radius r1 having the start point as a centeris connected to the circle with the radius r2 having the end point as acenter,

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may display the elastic dough-cursor Cs so that the width(in this case, the radius r1 and the radius r2) of the elasticdough-cursor Cs becomes thinner, as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer.

In this case, the elastic dough-cursor Cs may be thinned as the elasticdough-cursor Cs is longer, so that the display area of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is constant even when the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is varied. Thus, as shown in FIG. 30A, the elasticdough-cursor Cs becomes thick as a whole when the elastic dough-cursorCs is relatively short. As shown in FIG. 30B, the elastic dough-cursorCs becomes thin as a whole when the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.Even in this case, the CPU 110 typically sets the radius r2 to be largerthan the radius r1 so that the elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayed tohave the shape thickening from the start point C1 to the end point C2.

Thus, since the occupation area of the elastic dough-cursor Cs keepsnormally constant with respect to the screen, it is possible to preventa situation where the occupation area of the elastic dough-cursor Cs islarger as the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer and thus a portionhidden by the elastic dough-cursor Cs is expanded on the screen.

Thus, it is possible to set the minimum size (that is, the sizeimmediately after the start of the dragging) of the elastic dough-cursorCs to be large so that the portion hidden by the elastic dough-cursor Csis not considerably expanded.

4-12. Other Embodiment 12

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the CPU 110 isconfigured to display the elastic dough-cursor Cs in a translucentmanner so that a background image of the elastic dough-cursor Cs can beviewed transparently.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may vary the transmittance of the elastic dough-cursor Cs inaccordance with the change in the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, as shown in FIG. 31A, the transmittance of the elasticdough-cursor Cs may become lower as the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs is shorter. As shown in FIG. 31B, the transmittance ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs may become higher as the length of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

Thus, even when the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer, it is possible toprevent the background image of the elastic dough-cursor Cs from beingrarely viewed. Moreover, when the elastic dough-cursor Cs is shorter, itis possible to prevent the elastic dough-cursor Cs itself from beingrarely viewed.

For example, when the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is shorterthan a predetermined value, the CPU 110 may increase the transmittanceof the elastic dough-cursor Cs. When the length of the elasticdough-cursor Cs exceeds the predetermined value, the CPU 110 maydecrease the transmittance of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may change the color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs inresponse to the change in the length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this case, for example, in the video reproduction app, the value ofthe reproduction speed of the video is set in accordance with the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs, as described above. Here, the CPU 110changes the value of the reproduction speed in response to the change inthe length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs and also changes the color ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can recognize the change inthe value of the reproduction speed of the video by the change in thecolor of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, when one cursor is displayed at each of the start point andthe end point of the dragging instead of the elastic dough-cursor Cs,the cursor at the end point is completely hidden by a finger if thiscursor is not displayed larger than the finger. Therefore, the user maynot recognize the color of the cursor. However, when the cursor isdisplayed larger than the finger, on the contrary, it is difficult toview the background image of the cursor.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiments of thedisclosure, as described above, the elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayedso as to elongate from the start point to the end point of the dragging.Therefore, even when the elastic dough-cursor Cs is not displayed so asto be larger than the finder, a portion not hidden by the finger occurs.Accordingly, the portable terminal 100 according to the embodiments ofthe disclosure is configured so that the user can view the portion ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs not hidden by his or her finger and thus canrecognize the change or the like in the color of the elasticdough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The CPU110 may display only the outline of the elastic dough-cursor Cs with aline without coloring the entire elastic dough-cursor Cs. Moreover, theCPU 110 may display a mark (for example, a circular shape or a “x”shape) at the positions of the start point and the end point of theelastic dough-cursor Cs. Thus, the user can recognize the positions ofthe start point and the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs moreclearly.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The CPU110 may set the color (filled color or an outline color) of the elasticdough-cursor Cs in accordance with the color of the background image ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs. In this case, for example, the CPU 110sets, as the color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, the complementarycolor of the color largely included in the background image of theelastic dough-cursor Cs. Thus, the portable terminal 100 can set theelastic dough-cursor Cs so as not to be hidden in the image and thus caneasily view the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The CPU110 may change the color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs in response tothe change in the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this case, for example, in the video reproduction app, the adjustmentdirection of the volume is set in accordance with the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs, as described above. Here, the CPU 110 chancesthe color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, when the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is changed from the upward direction to thedownward direction or is changed from the downward direction to theupward direction.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can visually recognize thechange in the adjustment direction of the volume due to the change inthe color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

For example, in the video reproduction app, as described above, thereproduction speed of the video is controlled when the direction of theelastic dough-cursor Cs is the horizontal direction. The adjustmentspeed is controlled when the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs isthe vertical direction. Here, the CPU 110 changes the color of theelastic dough-cursor Cs, when the direction of the elastic dough-cursorCs is changed from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction oris changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction.

Thus, due to the change in the color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs, theuser can visually recognize that the input operation executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs is changed from the control of the reproductionspeed to the control of the adjustment speed of the volume or is changedfrom the control of the adjustment speed of the volume to the control ofthe reproduction speed.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may change the color of the elastic dough-cursor Cs inresponse to the change in a process performed in response to the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this case, for example, in the video reproduction app, as describedabove, the display contents are transitioned from the chapters to thechapter list when the end point of the elastic dough-cursor Cs comes outof the middle region 200B of the screen. At this time, the CPU 110changes the process performed in response to the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the control of thereproduction speed of the chapters to the control of the scroll speed ofthe chapter list and also changes the color of the elastic dough-cursorCs.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can visually recognize thechange in the process performed in response to the input operationexecuted with the elastic dough-cursor Cs due to the change in the colorof the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

4-13. Other Embodiment 13

In the above-described first embodiment, when the dragging ends, it isconfigured that the CPU 110 approaches the end point of the elasticdough-cursor Cs to the start point thereof, shrinks the elasticdough-cursor Cs having elongated up to the circle shape, and thendeletes the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may shrink the elastic dough-cursor Cs from, the end pointto the start point, display an animation effect. (for example, ofrepeating oscillation several times) of bouncing an elastic portion, anddelete the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,the CPU 110 may delete the elastic dough-cursor Cs from the screenwithout shrinking the elastic dough-cursor Cs, when the dragging ends.

4-14. Other Embodiment 14

In the above-described second embodiment, it is configured that when theend point of the dragging comes out of the middle region 230A in the mapdisplay app, the mode is transitioned to the elastic dough-scroll modeand the scroll speed of the man image is controlled by the inputoperation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,in the map display app, when the dragging is executed with no positionof the end point of the dragging, the elastic dough-scroll mode maytypically be set and the scroll speed of the map image may be controlledby the input operation executed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

In this case, when the dragging is executed, as shown in FIG. 32, theCPU 110 displays the elastic dough-cursor Cs in response to thedragging. Then, the CPU 110 sets the same direction as the direction ofthe elastic dough-cursor Cs being displayed, as the scroll, direction ofthe map image, and sets the value of the scroll speed to be larger, asthe length of the elastic dough-cursor Cs is longer.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Thenormal scroll mode and the elastic dough-scroll mode may newly bechanged depending on whether the start point of the dragging is within apredetermined region of the screen.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 33A, for example, a middle region 230Cwhich a rectangular region with a sire slightly protruding from a fingeris set in the middle of the map screen 230. When the map display app isoperated, the CPU 110 displays the map image on the map screen 230 anddisplays a frame Fr2 indicating the middle region 230C.

When the dragging is executed, the CPU 110 determines whether the startpoint of the dragging is within the middle region 230C of the screen.

When the start point of the dragging is out of the middle region 230C,as shown in FIG. 33B, the CPU 110 sets the normal scroll mode as thescroll mode and deletes the frame Fr2 from the screen,

Then, the CPU 110 controls the scroll of the map image in accordancewith the direction and the length of the dragging. Specifically, the CPU110 scrolls the map image in a direction opposite to the direction ofthe dragging by a distance corresponding to the length of the dragging.

On the other hand, when the start point of the dragging is within themiddle region 2300, as shown in FIG. 33C, the CPU 110 sets the elasticdough-scroll mode as the scroll mode. At this time, the CPU 110 deletesthe frame Fr2 from the screen and displays the elastic dough-cursor Cselongating from the start point to the end point of the dragging on thescreen.

When the elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayed, the CPU 110 controls thescroll of the map image in accordance with the direction and the lengthof the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

Specifically, the CPU 110 sets, as the scroll direction of the mapimage, the direction opposite to the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs being displayed. Further, the CPU 110 sets the value ofbe scroll speed to be larger, as the length of the elastic dough-cursorCs is longer.

When the dragging ends, the CPU 110 ends the scroll of the map image.When the elastic dough-cursor Cs is displayed, the CPU 110 deletes theelastic dough-cursor Cs from the screen and displays the frame Fr2again.

Thus, the CPU 110 performs scroll control by general dragging when thestart point of the dragging is out of the middle region 230C. On thecontrary, the CPU 110 controls the scroll speed executed with theelastic dough-cursor Cs when the start point of the dragging is withinthe middle region 230C.

Thus, in the portable terminal 100, the user can execute a simpleoperation of changing the start point of the dragging to select thescroll control performed by the general dragging or the control of thescroll speed performed with the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

4-15. Other Embodiment 15

In the above-described first embodiment, the music reproduction app, thescroll direction of the track list is set to be opposite to thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,in the music reproduction app, the scroll direction of the track listmay be set to be the same as the direction of the elastic dough-cursorCs.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Instead,in another app, the scroll direction may be set to the same as thedirection of the elastic dough-cursor Cs. Alternatively, the scrolldirection may be set to be opposite to the direction of the elasticdough-cursor Cs. In other words, whether the scroll direction is set tobe the same as the direction of the elastic dough-cursor Cs or to beopposite to the direction of the elastic dough cursor Cs isappropriately determined appropriately depending on each app.

4-16. Other Embodiment 16

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the portableterminal 100 serving as the information processing apparatus isconfigured to include, the touch screen 102 serving as the operationunit and the display unit and the CPU 110 serving as the control unit.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Therespective function units (the operation unit, the display unit, and thecontrol unit) of the above-described portable terminal 100 may beconfigured by various different hardware units, as long as the samefunctions are provided.

4-17. Other Embodiment 17

In the above-described first and second embodiments, programs forexecuting various kinds of processes are stored in the non-volatilememory 111 of the portable terminal 100.

However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. Forexample, the portable terminal 100 may be provided with a slot for astorage medium such as a memory card and the CPU 110 reads the programsfrom the storage medium inserted into the slot to execute the programs.Further, the CPU 110 may install the programs read from the storagemedium in the non-volatile memory 111. Furthermore, the CPU 110 maydownload the programs from an apparatus on a network via the networkinterface 113 and install the downloaded programs in the non-volatilememory 111.

4-18. Other Embodiment 18

The embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the first andsecond embodiments and the other embodiments described above. That is,parts or the entirety of the above-described first and secondembodiments and other embodiments may be combined arbitrarily or partsthereof may be extracted within the scope of the disclosure.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: acontrol unit configured to perform a process corresponding to draggingand displaying, on a display screen, a cursor which elasticallyelongates between a first point related to a start point of the draggingand a second point related to an end point of the dragging and, of whichat least one of a size and a shape is different at one end portion,which is on a side of the start point of the dragging, and at the otherend portion, which is on a side of the end point of the dragging, whenthe dragging is executed through an operation unit, wherein the controlunit is further configured to control the displaying, on the displayscreen, of the cursor whose width, varies from the one end portion tothe other end portion, and wherein the control, unit is implemented viaa processor.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein, when the dragging ends, the control unit is furtherconfigured to perform a process corresponding to transforming theelastically elongated cursor by shrinking the cursor and displaying, onthe display screen, an animation effect of bringing the cursor back tothe one end portion.
 3. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to switchinformation being displayed on the display screen in a case where theother end portion of the cursor is located within a predetermined regionon the display screen.
 4. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the control unit is further configured, to performthe process corresponding to transforming the elastically elongatedcursor by shrinking the cursor and displaying, on the display screen,the animation effect of bringing the cursor back to the one end portionwhen the dragging ends, and switch the information being displayed toinformation associated with information displayed on The display screenprior to other end portion of the cursor being located within thepredetermined region on the display screen.
 5. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit isfurther configured to perform a process with respect to the informationthat has been switched in a case where length of the cursor exceeds apredetermined threshold value, and to control display, on the displayscreen, of the information before being switched and perform a processwith respect to the information before being switched in a case wherethe length of the cursor is reduced up to a value equal no or less thanthe predetermined threshold value.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes aprocess to be performed based on a direction in which the cursorelongates.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the control unit changes color of the cursor in a case ofchanging the process to be performed.
 8. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit variestransmittance of the cursor based on change in length of the cursor. 9.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit changes color of the cursor based on change in length ofthe cursor.
 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein, in a case where the dragging is executed subsequent toexecution of a touch for a time equal to or longer than a predeterminedperiod through the operation unit, the control unit is furtherconfigured to perform a process corresponding to the dragging using, asa center, a region corresponding to the touch on the display screen, andcontrol display of the cursor.
 11. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit further controls display,on the display screen, of processing information indicating the processbeing performed with the cursor.
 12. The information processingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controlsdisplay, on the display screen, of a bar working in conjunction with thecursor, as the processing information.
 13. A display control methodcomprising: performing a process corresponding to dragging anddisplaying, on a display screen, a cursor which elastically elongatesbetween a first point related to a start point of the dragging and asecond point related to an end point of the dragging and of which atleast one of a size and a shape is different at one end portion, whichis on a side of the start point of the dragging, and at the other endportion, which is on a side of the end point of the dragging, when thedragging is executed through an operation unit; and displaying thecursor of which width varies from the one end portion to the other endportion.
 14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having embodiedthereon a display control program, which when executed by a computercauses the computer to execute a method, the method comprising:performing a process corresponding to dragging and displaying, on adisplay screen, a cursor which elastically elongates between a firstpoint related to a start point of the dragging and a second pointrelated to an end point of the dragging and of which at least one of asize and a shape is different at one end portion, which is on a side ofthe start point of the dragging, and at the other end portion, which ison a side of the end point of the dragging, when be dragging is executedthrough an operation unit; and displaying the cursor of which widthvaries from the one end portion to the other end portion.